At the Shakir Ali Auditorium, National College of Arts, Lahore, an engaging panel led by Seerat Hazir unpacked on the topic, 'Short Form in the Age of Social Media- Emerging Patterns of Consumption and Creation,' a timely and thought provoking conversation on how cinema and storytelling are evolving in a digital world.
The discussion brought together some of the most celebrated voices in Pakistan’s film and television landscape; Adeel Hashmi, actor, mentor; Prof. Majid Saeed Khan, Dean Faculty of Film & TV - NCA; Salman Shahid, actor and director; Prof. Dr. Asghar Nadeem Syed, playwright and poet; Bushra Sultan, filmmaker and activist; and Saman Kamran, filmmaker and writer. The discussion explored how the boundaries between short and long form cinema are shifting as audiences increasingly gravitate toward reels, clips, and micro-narratives.
The panel reflected on the attention economy, where filmmakers compete not just for viewership but for fleeting moments of focus. They examined how this transformation challenges traditional storytelling, urging creators to find new ways to captivate, connect, and communicate in mere seconds.
From the evolution of cinematic language to the rise of short films, reels, and bite sized storytelling, the panel delved into how technology, audience behavior, and creative expression continue to redefine the art of filmmaking. The conversation underscored how today’s youth is not only consuming stories differently but also creating new visual languages for the screen.
