Many Pakistanis who attended Cannes 2025 made the country super proud!
Several Pakistani stars and Hollywood celebrities of Pakistani heritage were present at this year’s festival, which ran for 12 days—starting on May 13 and wrapping up on May 24.
Pakistanis who attended Cannes 2025
A powerful panel from Pakistan also made its way to Cannes. The lineup included Emmy-nominated filmmaker Mo Naqvi, Aleem Bukhari, Hammad Khan, Irfan Noor, and Fawzia Mirza.
Their panel, titled “New Wave Pakistan: Telling Global Stories, Rooted at Home”, drew industry attention to a cinematic movement that’s rewriting the rules of Pakistani storytelling, reported Variety.
Young director Saim Saqib was also part of the panel. He brought home the Baumi Award from Cannes and shared a photo with it.
“Big thank you to @pandorafilmverleih @filmedienrw for bringing me back to Cannes and for the Baumi Award, and to @eeedwardberger for heading the jury and for being so gracious, kind, and real,” he wrote on Instagram.
More stars with Pakistani roots lit up the Cannes red carpet
Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed, who has roots in Pakistan, also attended Cannes 2025. He walked the red carpet with his wife, Fatima.
“Proud to be at Cannes with the genius that is Wes Anderson, & the entire incredible Phoenician Scheme family!” he captioned a picture from the event.
Australian model Shanina Shaik also walked the red carpet. Notably, she has Pakistani heritage through her father. She attended the screening of Bono: Stories of Surrender at the festival.
Actor and writer Jameela Jamil made a grand entrance in a stunning iced blue gown. She also shares a connection to Pakistan through her mother.
