Mushtaq Gazdar Author

Mushtaq Gazdar (1937-2000) was one of the foremost filmmakers of Pakistan. With diplomas in film technique from London and Tokyo and his own production house, Films D'art, he scripted, directed, and produced more than 175 short feature films, documentaries, and newsreels in the 1970s-1990s. His films have been screened at international film festivals and his docudrama They are Killing the Horse won him the coveted Grand Prix at the Tampere International Film Festival in Finland. In 1992, he was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan for his contribution to the art of filmmaking. His films have twice been awarded the film industry's famed Nigar Award for the best locally produced documentary film. He has also been associated with international film productions, including the Emmy Award winner Traffik. He was a founding member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and was also on the governing body of the Arts Council of Pakistan and chairman of its affiliated body, Film and Video Forum. Mushtaq Gazdar conducted short film courses and also contributed articles in the local Press.