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Iram Parveen Bilal’s award-winning Pakistani thriller “Wakhri” has landed distribution in several international territories. Its theatrical and broadcast releases are rolling out this fall across France, the U.K. and Ireland,
Australia and Brazil, and more territories will follow over the coming months.
In France, the film is heading to cinemas this October through Salon Indien, a traveling film society devoted to South Asian women filmmakers. Curatorial platform Contre-courants has partnered with François-Xavier Durandy to launch the initiative, which will take its selections to venues around the country.
The film draws on Pakistani women who have stood up to the patriarchy, among them social media star Qandeel Baloch. Baloch was murdered by her brother in 2016 for what he deemed bringing dishonor on the family through online posts that would be considered mild by Western standards. “Wakhri” rests on strong turns from two first-time leads: Faryal Mehmood as Noor, a young widow raising money to open a girls’ school, and Gulshan Majeed as Gucchi, her cross-dressing best friend.
Helene Kessous, who co-founded Salon Indien with Nemesis Srour, said “Wakhri” was among the society’s first selections. “Funny, defiant and necessary, Iram Parveen Bilal’s film explores what social media offers to those who dare to speak out, and what it costs them. It belonged in this program from the start.”
Bilal, who wrote, directed and co-produced the film, said a French theatrical run was a dream come true. “We searched and waited for the right partners for a film too special to fit a cookie-cutter distribution model. ‘Wakhri’ is a unique and daring representation of Pakistani cinema, and we are excited to break the mold of the usually expected cinematic fare from the Global South,” she said.
Abid Aziz Merchant of Sanat Initiative, one of the film’s producers, said the French release proved the story could not be shut down. “It is about the cost of a woman daring to take up space, a conversation that resonates far beyond Pakistan. We are delighted to find our French audience through Salon Indien. For a film inspired by Qandeel Baloch’s courage to be part of a traveling showcase championing South Asian women directors, in a country that truly cherishes cinema, is a proud moment for Pakistani cinema and the right next chapter for ‘Wakhri,’” Merchant said.
In the U.K., “Wakhri” is part of Channel 4’s 2026 South Asian Film Season. It sits alongside “All We Imagine as Light” and “Songs of Forgotten Trees,” and is available to watch on the broadcaster this October. SBS has acquired the film for Australia, and Filmicca has picked it up for Brazil.
“Independent films are built on conviction, collaboration and inventive co-production models that enable meaningful distribution journeys. We are excited to see ‘Wakhri,’ our big-hearted and critically acclaimed independent production, continue to connect with audiences seeking distinctive cinema. Our regional partners are extending the film’s visibility, relevance and release life. This long-tail approach allows singular stories to travel on their own terms and build enduring audiences worldwide,” said Apoorva Bakshi of Awedacious Originals, also a producer on the film.
Bilal is a producer on Pakistan’s “Dancers,” which is currently participating in the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Project Market.
Releases in North America and other markets are expected in the months ahead.
