Divas of Karachi

They’re fashion designers, wives and mothers, interior decorators, entrepreneurs, teachers, and philanthropists – sometimes, all at once.

The ladies (and man) of Divas of Karachi
Series
Indie Lens Storycast
Premiere Date
October 24, 2017
Length
48 minutes
Funding Initiative
Short-Form Series and Special Projects
Producer/Director

Senain Kheshgi

A Peabody-winning director and producer, Senain made the Emmy-nominated documentary The Diplomat (ESPN) and the award-winning Project Kashmir (Independent Lens). She directed the comedic series Divas of Karachi for Indie Lens StoryCast and directed virtual reality films with Here Be Dragons (formally Vrse) for Facebook, Johnson & Johnson,… Show more Save the Children and The Annenberg Center for Photography. Senain began her career as a journalist working with ABC News and CNN, and then producing projects with acclaimed directors Davis Guggenheim, Sophie Fiennes, James Longley and Morgan Spurlock. Her films have premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) and The Human Rights Watch Film Festival (NY and London). Senain is a three-time Sundance Fellow, and a two-time Tribeca All Access Fellow. Her films have received funding from Sundance, Cinereach, Fledgling Fund, ITVS, Catapult, CAAM and Tribeca Institute. Senain has served on panels and juries at Sundance, Hot Docs, Sheffield Doc/Fest, ITVS, CAAM, Film Independent, Docuweeks, and the International Documentary Association and has mentored filmmakers at the Firelight Filmmakers Labs. Senain is directing a feature documentary in Pakistan, developing a feature film based on the true story of an American girl who becomes the queen of a Himalayan kingdom, and writing a series about her Muslim family running a bong shop in 1980's Georgia. Senain also proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the International Documentary Association. Show less

Other ITVS Films
Project Kashmir

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The Film

A group of prominent socialites, running their own businesses while juggling the chaotic demands of family life: You think this only happens in Beverly Hills or Atlanta? Divas of Karachi subverts a familiar genre, showcasing a country that is foreign to most viewers. This docuseries mixing reality TV humor and cinema verité follows a group of Pakistani trendsetters. They’re fashion designers, wives and mothers, interior decorators, entrepreneurs, teachers, and philanthropists – sometimes, all at once. Divas of Karachi celebrates the humor, fun, and passion from a part of the world too often associated with conflict and tragedy.

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