Home

Alumni Conference

Alumni Profile

Mr. Mian Adnan Ahmad's Profile

Adnan is an award-winning filmmaker from Pakistan whose work has screened in Asia, Europe and North America including being part of the First Cut showcase held at the Directors Guild of America headquarters in Los Angeles and New York.

He has been a finalist in a screenwriting competition held by the Royal Commonwealth Society and a recipient of the Fulbright scholarship to pursue a graduate program in film production in the U.S., where he also received the Leo Freedman Award for his work. His film HEAL has likely received more awards than any film written and directed by a Pakistani filmmaker, winning on more than 20 occasions at competitions and film festivals worldwide. His recently completed music docu-film on the origin story of Coke Studio (The Journey Within) has also been a recipient of the coveted Best of Fest award at its premiere in the U.S. and is currently traveling the international festival circuit.

Adnan’s experience includes working for television and writing, directing and producing short films, documentaries, music videos and other creative works for the visual format. He is also involved in consulting/ advising for various organizations and training in the fields of media/ film.

Abstract

The Journey Within (the Coke Studio origin story)

Film Screening

Duration: 78 minutes

The 'Coke Studio' Origin Story - In a post 9/11 Pakistan faced with challenges of war and conflict, a quest for self-identity leads the inspirational journey of a music show to help reclaim the rich and vast musical heritage of this region. In doing so, it has become one of the biggest music initiatives from this side of the world, bringing together unique cultural experiences and genres, including but not limited to folk, sufi, rock, pop and rap music. We discover the show from its humble beginnings, living through its spirit to reach the heart of the experience, as artists unify eastern and western sounds to make music that will resonate across the globe, impacting all involved and planting the seeds for an ongoing inward reflection towards who we are as individuals and as a people. The Journey Within has been selected for screenings across the U.S., Europe and Asia, winning the Silver Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in 2016 and the Best of Fest Award at the Full Bloom Film Festival in 2015.

Teasers of The Journey Within can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/mianadnanahmad