Patakha Pictures, the film funding and mentorship platform founded by two-time Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its documentary fellowship, Claim the Frame. The program invites women filmmakers from across Pakistan to apply by March 20, 2026.
The announcement comes after the completion of the previous cycle in December 2025. Organizers say the initiative is designed to provide financial support and professional mentorship to emerging documentary filmmakers, with a focus on strengthening independent storytelling in Pakistan.
Focus on women-led documentary storytelling
Launched in 2022, Patakha Pictures has supported 69 filmmakers so far. Films developed under the program have collectively received more than 25 awards and have screened at over 70 international film festivals, according to the organization.
The fellowship was established to amplify women’s voices in cinema and expand access to professional training opportunities. In 2024, the program temporarily broadened its eligibility to include both men and women from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Newly Merged Districts, aiming to reach filmmakers from historically underrepresented regions.
For its eighth edition, Patakha Pictures and SOC Films are once again collaborating with the Scottish Documentary Institute and the British Council to deliver the mentorship cycle.
Structure and eligibility
The 2026 fellowship will select four teams, each consisting of two women filmmakers aged 18 or older. Applicants must apply as a pair through a single submission.
The program seeks short documentary projects that engage with themes such as women’s empowerment, art, identity, culture and music. Selected participants will receive project funding and five months of structured mentorship, including weekly online sessions with international mentors and guidance from the SOC Films team.
The fellowship also includes an in-person edit week in Karachi. The cycle will conclude with a closing event where fellows present their film trailers and connect with members of the documentary community.
Key dates and application details
The 2026 cycle is scheduled to run from July to November 2026, with final selections expected to be announced in June 2026. Participants must commit to the full duration of the program.
Applications must be submitted via email to patakhapictures@gmail.com by March 20, 2026. The application form and additional details are available through the official link shared by the organizers.
