Vancouver International Film Festival to feature Pakistani documentary

The 45th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is scheduled to take place from October 1–11, 2026. The festival will feature a selection of Canadian and international cinema.

Among the featured works is the documentary ‘The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony’, directed by Habiba Nosheen. A co-production between Canada, Pakistan, and the USA, the film is set in Karachi’s Machar Colony, a marginalized fishing settlement in Pakistan. The documentary follows a group of young girls who use gymnastics as a means of self-expression and confidence while navigating social barriers and a conservative environment. The film is part of the VIFF Northern Lights program and is presented in Urdu, Bengali, and English.