THE COLOUR OF MY HEART

This film will be screened in-person only.

A Q&A will follow the screening, with director Umar Riaz and producer Shams Pasha. It will be moderated by AAIFF programmer Grace Cheung.

Zia Mohyeddin, Pakistan’s most revered actor and cultural icon, dedicates his final years to a passionate mission—reviving the lost art of Urdu poetry and ensuring its legacy for future generations. With mesmerizing performances and unwavering commitment, he inspires a new wave of South Asians to reconnect with their literary heritage. This intimate and powerful film captures his last chapter—a poignant tribute to a legend determined to keep the magic of words alive.

Umar Riaz is a Lahore-born filmmaker and photographer with a Student Oscar nomination and an MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he received an Ang Lee Scholarship for exceptional talent. His films have screened at Locarno, Raindance, Woodstock, Cinequest, and Urbanworld. In 2020, he represented Pakistan at Expo Dubai with a film installation as part of the Pakistan Pavilion, which won the Silver Award for Best Exhibition Design across 192 countries.

Producers: Umar Riaz, Claire Harlam, Shams Pasha

Writer: Umar Riaz