DARLING
Short Film | 2019
Naive Shani helps his transgender friend and crush audition for the lead in an erotic dance show. In this whimsical drama, Saim Sadiq depicts the guileless ambition and inevitable compromises of two young adults daring to imagine bolder roles for themselves than society has envisioned.
Director: Saim Sadiq
Writers: Saim Sadiq and Rodney Llaverias
Producer: Mahak Jiwani, Nadia Afgan
Cinematographer: Mo Azmi
Production Design: Idrees
Sound Designer: Carlo Sanchez
Starring: Alina Khan, Abdullah Malik, Mehar Bano, Nadia Afgan
Supported by
Katharina Otto-Bernstein Production Grant
Awards
Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film — 76th Venice International Film Festival
Special Jury Award — SXSW International Film Festival 2020
Official Selection
76th Venice International Film Festival (Italy)
2019 Toronto International ilm Festival (Canada)
27th Hamptons International Film Festival (USA)
2019 Montreal Festival of New Cinema (Canada)
2019 Stockholm Film Festival (Sweden)
2020 SXSW International Film Festival (USA)
2020 Palm Springs International ShortFest (USA)
2020 Prague Short Film Festival (Czech Republic)
2020 Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia)
