Usman Mukhtar’s short film ‘Bench’ wins big at New York’s South Shore Film Festival

Usman Mukhtar’s short film Bench has won the ‘Best Short Film Award’ at the South Shore Film Festival, New York.

Mukhar shared the news with his followers and audiences on social media.

#Bench wins at South Shore Film Festival, New York!!! Thank you Team!!!

— Usman Mukhtar (@MukhtarHoonMein) July 6, 2020

Later, the actor, who was over the moon with the win, also shared a heartfelt note in which he said that he had no words to express his happiness and thanked his co-star Rubya Chaudhry for being the “heartbeat of this film”.

“I do not have words to explain my happiness with you,” said the actor. “This is our first win so I am going to be very emotional. Since as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a filmmaker. Starting from those VHS cameras to right now. Winning this makes me feel that all the hardships that I went through, meant something. Thank you all for your support and I cannot wait to share the film with you all.”

View this post on Instagram

I do not have words to explain my happiness with you. This is all because of the hard work and dedication of everyone attached to the film, the entire team. This is our first win so I am going to be very emotional. Since as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a film maker. Starting from those vhs cameras to right now. Winning this makes me feel that all the hard ships that I went through, meant something. Thank you all for your support and I cannot wait to share the film with you all. With your prayers, there will be more to come. A very special high five to my co star @rubyachaudhry who is the heartbeat of this film. #bench #southshorefilmfestival #filmfestivalwinner #bestshortfilm

A post shared by Usman Mukhtar (@mukhtarhoonmein) on Jul 7, 2020 at 5:26am PDT

Rubya also expressed her excitement on social media and called Mukhtar “a true gem, a star, a guy that deserves everything amazing and then some”.

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I’m emotional too, but tryina hide it.. tryina keep it in.. saving it for our next film 🙂 You, my friend @mukhtarhoonmein are a true gem, a star, a guy that deserves everything amazing and then some. Your talent and hard work is unmatched. Thank you for being the greatest of friends…always encouraging me, for loving me, for empowering me, for making me laugh, for being there, for your honesty, and most of all for being the remarkable human being that you are. Because if you weren’t that first, you wouldn’t be any of the other things ♥️ Love ya, my Joeyay! Here’s to many more achievements, many more triumphs, many more challenges that are already on their way to us 🙏🏼🙌🏼 A true rockSitara you ⭐️ – – – A big congratulations to the entire team of #Bench for this win! @natashaoninsta for your soulful voice, lyrics and music design. The film would be empty wothout it 🌈 @ali.mudar.11 for writing such an inspiring script ⭐️ @hasan_naeem for your faith 💥 @omerbari whattay shots!🙏🏼 @adnan.aslam.7 that opening scene 🥰 @tubaafzall for being the best AD ever 💫 @mojizhasan acting bro 👏🏼 @imanshahid The good omen you bring 💜 – – – Although a tiny one in this case, it takes a village to make a film 🙌🏼 – – – @benchthefilm #benchthefilm #usmanmukhtar #rubyachaudhry #natashahumeraejaz #film #short #shortfilm #win #art #artist #artists #blessed

A post shared by Rubya Chaudhry (@rubyachaudhry) on Jul 7, 2020 at 7:16am PDT

The film which has been directed by Mukhtar and written by Ali Mudar the film sees two people at difficult crossroads of their lives, cross paths.

Speaking to a local media publication, Mukhtar shared that the “film is about two people who meet on a bench. It’s a dialogue based film which takes a very interesting twist and turns.”

He added that the film has been submitted to a lot of film festivals including the Toronto, Cannes and Busan Film Festivals but due to the current situation, they’re screening the film online but they are yet to hear back from them.

While it is not clear when the film will be screened in Pakistan, we’re hopeful we get a chance to watch it soon.

Watch the trailer of the film below:

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