“Cake” by first-time feature director Asim Abbasi, named as Pakistan’s contender for the Oscar foreign-language category. Released in its home territory to critical acclaim and box office success in March 2018.
“We are excited to continue the tradition of sending films from Pakistan. In the foreign language category of the academy awards! Each year, the submissions become stronger. And we are keeping our fingers crossed that one of these days we will come away with a golden statue!” the Saving Face director told.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories. Also the Best Foreign Language Film, in January 2019.
The director of the film, Asim Abbasi was over the moon. He told us, “”All my world cinema heroes (Cuaron, Koreeda, Pawlikowski, Ceylan, Farhadi) have released films this year so the competition for nominations will undoubtedly be stiff. But for me, the fact that the committee considered Cake worthy of representing Pakistan is an honour in itself. I sincerely hope our cinema continues to grow in the years to come. And we keep making content that has the potential for global recognition.”
“I am extremely honoured to have Cake representing Pakistan this year. And grateful to the selection committee for considering it worthy,” said director Asim Abbasi. “My deepest gratitude for my Cake family, who worked so hard. And with so much belief to bring this film to the audiences. 2018 is proving to be a great year for Pakistani Cinema. May it continue to grow and may we always find the courage and the vision to tell our stories our own way.”
Also, the committee will announce the complete and final list of Oscar nominees on January 22, 2019, with the presentation show for the 91st Academy Awards scheduled to take place on 24th February 2019.
Moreover, Sharmeen chairs the committee and includes Kamila Shamshi, Saira Kazmi, HM Naqvi, Hadiqa Kiani, Ali Sethi, Zoe Viccaji, Nadeem Farooq Paracha, Nabila Maqsoo, Khalid Malik and Faisal Qureishi as well.