Acclaimed Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy has joined the award-winning short film Don’t Be Late, Myra as an executive producer, according to a report by Variety. The film is directed by Afia Nathaniel, a Pakistani-American filmmaker known for tackling powerful social themes through her storytelling.
Best known for directing Disney’s Ms. Marvel and winning two Academy Awards for her documentaries, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy brings global attention to Nathaniel’s latest project. Her involvement adds prestige to the film, which has already made waves at several international festivals.
Don’t Be Late, Myra tells the story of a 10-year-old girl, Myra (played by Innayah Umer), who undertakes a dangerous journey through the streets of Lahore. The film bravely explores the sensitive topic of child abuse, portraying Myra’s encounters with a range of threatening characters as she struggles to reach home safely.
The cast includes Nida Ahsan as Myra’s ailing mother, Sumaira Saghir as her teacher, and Mushtaq Ahmed, Munir Hussain, Shahid Riaz, Rizwan Riaz, and Sohail Tariq as the men who cross her path.
The film has earned critical acclaim and multiple awards at major festivals, including the Bergen International Film Festival (New Jersey), Montreal International Film Festival, Big Apple Film Festival (New York), UK Asian Film Festival, and Woodstock Film Festival. With its strong festival presence, Don’t Be Late, Myra is now considered a contender for an Academy Award nomination.
Speaking about her decision to join the project, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy said, “Myra’s story is both urgent and real. The film gives voice to the fears every young girl knows too well while celebrating courage and resilience. I am proud to support this vital story.”
This marks a reunion of sorts for Pakistani filmmakers on the global stage. Director Afia Nathaniel previously represented Pakistan at the 2015 Academy Awards with her film Dukhtar and made history as the first Pakistani-American woman to direct a U.S. network drama for NBC’s Chicago Med.
With Don’t Be Late, Myra, both Nathaniel and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy continue to amplify stories that challenge social norms and spotlight the resilience of women and children in difficult circumstances.
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