Audiovisual technologies have a pivotal role to play in the shaping and enhancing of storytelling. That is the verdict of Oscar-winning director and producer Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who delivered the ISE Opening Keynote, entitled ‘Seeing through the Eyes of Others: Redefining the Art of Storytelling’ on the ISE Show Floor Stage.
In her speech, filmmaker Obaid-Chinoy shared examples from her work, showing how technology can be used at the heart of storytelling to make the audiovisual experience more personal, emotional and impactful, as well as to foster empathy and drive social change
Obaid-Chinoy said: “By the time I was 17 I was writing investigative articles. I was determined to become a filmmaker. I realised that if a door hasn’t opened for you it’s because you haven’t kicked it hard enough. I also realised that film can actually impact legislation. It can build bridges, it builds empathy and it can change the way we see ourselves.”
Most widely known for her Academy Award-winning documentary shorts Saving Face (2012) and A Girl In The River: The Price Of Forgiveness (2015), Obaid-Chinoy is the first filmmaker from Pakistan to win an Oscar and the first female film director to have won two Oscars by the age of 37.
Obaid-Chinoy has since directed two episodes of Marvel’s critically acclaimed series Ms. Marvel in 2022, and is to be the first woman to direct a Star Wars film. The live-action movie will star Daisy Ridley reprising her role as Rey and is scheduled for release in 2026.
