EXCLUSIVE: Italian sales outfit Luminalia has secured world sales rights to Lali, the first all-Pakistani production to be selected for the Berlinale.
Directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, the darkly comic feature is set to world premiere in the Panorama section of the festival on February 19. The Berlinale has previously selected titles co-produced by Pakistan but this is understood to be the first feature from the country to make the programme.
The story, co-written by Khoosat and Sundus Hashmi, centres on a newlywed couple in the shanty towns of Sahiwal. It follows Zeba, who has married man-child Sajawal after courting three suitors, all of whom died under mysterious circumstances. She seeks refuge in her feisty mother-in-law, whose sharp tongue hides a big heart, and a quiet but wise neighbour. Despite love stirring, Sajawal becomes increasing haunted by paranoia.
The cast is led by Mamya Shajaffar and Channan Hanif as the newlyweds alongside Rasti Farooq, Farazeh Syed and Mehr Bano.
Khoosat previously directed Busan 2019 award-winner Circus Of Life and was a producer of Saim Sadiq’s Cannes 2022 jury prize winner Joyland. Both were Pakistan’s official entry to the Academy Awards. Sadiq handled both the casting and editing of Lali.
Producer is Kanwal Khoosat of Lahore-based Khoosat Films and the feature was made in collaboration with Enso Films. Co-producer is Asil Baqa.
Bologna-based Luminalia was launched by Screen Future Leader Tommaso Priante in January 2025 as a sales company dedicated to working with underrepresented countries. Recent additions to its slate include Mozambique feature O Profeta, currently playing in Rotterdam’s Tiger competition.
“I’ve been following the Pakistani cinema scene, and I know and admire Sarmad’s work,” said Priante. “I was really happy to see there was an immediate connection with all the producers, and Lali aligns perfectly with Luminalia’s mission to champion cinema from less-represented countries.”
Producer Khoosat said: “Lali is driven by nuance rather than convention. From the outset, Tommaso and Luminalia understood this, and we value the focus and discernment they bring to the film’s international release.”
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