Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy presented Crystal Award

Pakistan News & Features Services

Another feather was added to the cap of Pakistan’s renowned filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy when the Academy Award winner was presented the Crystal Award by Hilde Schwab at the 2013 World Economic Forum meeting in recognition of her efforts in promoting human rights and women’s issues through film.

She received the coveted prize at the official Crystal Award ceremony held at the World Economic Forum Congress Centre, Congress Hall in Davos, Switzerland. 

The World Economic Forum had introduced the Crystal Award in 1995 to honour personalities who are highly regarded as both cultural leaders and global citizens committed to improving the state of the world. 

Alongside Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the session awarded Charlize Theron, actress and founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project and Vik Muniz, artist and member Global Agenda Council, on the Role of the Arts in Society.

The ceremony was chaired by Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. 

The past winners of the award include A R Rahman, Amitabh Bachchan, Mohammad Ali, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Richard Gere. 

“I am humbled by the opportunity to represent Pakistan on such a prestigious platform. The Crystal Award embodies the sentiments that guide my work as a filmmaker, and I firmly believe that the pursuit of art and film can change the world by promoting dialogue and acting as a catalyst for change,” Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy remarked at the event after receiving her award.

“The Crystal Award is special because this is the first time a Pakistani is being honoured at the World Economic Forum. I feel proud to represent my country and showcase the fact that educated empowered women are making strides in Pakistan,” she observed in a newspaper interview. 

She felt humbled by the opportunity to represent Pakistan, and that the award embodies the sentiments that guide her work as a film-maker. 

“I firmly believe that the pursuit of art and film can change the world by promoting dialogue and acting as a catalyst for change,” she added.