INTERCULTURAL

LEADERS

Babar Ali
Member of Board of Advisors, International Youth Media Summit

PLURAL+

I'm a young filmmaker, from Pakistan, telling stories of common people and their problems. My films are mainly based on different social issues that invites people to think about the issue in a different way through a relatable story. My short-films have been showcased and awarded at various platforms like 18th Ismailia Film Festival (Egypt), Four River Film Festival (Croatia), 12th International Youth Media Summit (Sweden), 13th International Youth Media Summit (Australia) and the Plural+ Film Festival by UNAOC and IMO (United States). I'm currently based in Dubai working as a Video Director and Cinematographer in a local media agency. I'm also a member of the Board of Advisors for International Youth Media Summit that is working on bringing the youth from different parts of the world under one roof every year where they make films about different issues and exchange ideas and knowledge about these issues. While making the films they also learn about each other's culture, backgrounds and problems of their countries and they discuss how they can overcome these issues by collaborative efforts. Being a filmmaker from a country like Pakistan, that unfortunately does not enjoy a really good image in the rest of the world, I feel like its my responsibility to bring the stories of the common people of Pakistan infant of the world. Who are not the terrorists but victims themselves. I have been amazed at how the lives of the characters of my films have been so relatable to the people from around the world despite the fact that they have never been to Pakistan. Humans have similar stories no matter which part of the world they are from and film is the tool to bring those stories in front of the people.