Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Nighat Shah of Adur Productions Is Helping To Change Our World
The value of finding joy in small wins goes beyond the final product. Taking time to celebrate team milestones, even amid challenges, boosts morale for weathering future difficulties.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Nighat Shah.
Born in Chitral, Pakistan, Nighat Akbar Shah is a filmmaker and founder of Adur Productions. With decades of business experience and advanced degrees in Finance, she uses impactful films to spotlight urgent global challenges like mental health and child labor. Her work is hailed by critics worldwide as “courageous” and “thought-provoking”.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
Growing up, I was a sensitive child and always troubled by the struggles faced by underprivileged communities. My parents led by example through their own philanthropic efforts in our community, which instilled in me a desire to help others in meaningful ways.
I wanted to find avenues where I could directly support those in need. I started with small initiatives like subsidizing school fees for kids. However, I realized the impact was limited. That’s when I began exploring how my passion for social work could help raise broader awareness of social issues.
In 2021, I produced a short film called “Darya Kay Iss Paar (This Bank of The River)” with the hope that a more personal story may help address the stigma of mental health. Screening the short film at important events and festivals, I realized the power of film to reach wider audiences with powerful messaging. Encouraged by its success, I took on the critical issue of child labor for my feature debut “Gunjal” — focusing on the inspiring true story of Pakistani hero Iqbal Masih.
Through my work, I aim to amplify voices of the vulnerable and oppressed, while sensitizing people and policymakers to enact positive social change. Storytelling allows me to fulfill my goal of humanitarian service on a larger platform.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I started working on my short film about mental health, I naively thought it would be easy to screen it widely and create meaningful change. Boy was I wrong! Early on, I reached out to many local community organizations and community centers about showing the film but didn’t get many takers. Many would only talk but no help.
Feeling confused, I realized how important relationship-building is to promote causes. I had jumped ahead without properly connecting first. That’s when it hit me — as the “producer” — my role was as much about bringing people together as the film.
One mistake that still makes me laugh? Before the camera rolled on my feature film Gunjal, I had a meetup session with all the cast and crew, and I commented praising one of the leading actors with, “I have been your fan since childhood.” It was very unprofessional of me. Thankfully they understood I was still learning the ropes.
I’m grateful for mistakes like that, which taught me what really matters is understanding people’s needs and making them feel heard. It was an important lesson in carrying myself with composure as the team leader.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Some of the most interesting people I’ve worked with on my film include director Shoaib Sultan. He is incredibly passionate about filmmaking and truly understands my drive to raise social awareness through our work.
Ahmed Ali Akbar, the lead actor, showed non-stop passion throughout. During press conferences, he did over 40 back-to-back interviews without even stopping for lunch while we took breaks! I jokingly asked if I could call him Human Robot, he just smiled and answered, “Why not?”
I always enjoyed interacting with Amna Ilyas as well. She has a strong personality and is commendable in her support of local brands and talents.
I have been incredibly lucky to have wonderful friends help with this project. When it came time for post-production, my friend Shelby Elwood jumped in to help however she could. I learned so much about filmmaking from her during that time. Anuradha Singh has immense talent for editing and played such a key role behind the scenes through her skills. And my dear friend Zara Adams sought me out specifically because of our shared interest in issues like child labor. She helped connect me to many people working in similar spaces.
It was truly enriching to interact with such dedicated colleagues who were fully committed to the film and its important messages. Their passion is what made this whole experience so valuable and inspiring.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
I don’t find one single historic figure to be my biggest inspiration. What inspires me most is impactful work that creates positive change, regardless of who does it.
Two individuals who come to mind are Susan B. Anthony and His Highness the Aga Khan. Susan B. tirelessly campaigned for women’s suffrage and civil rights in 1800s America, founding key advocacy organizations. Her pioneering activism advanced the women’s movement.
The Aga Khan’s leadership of the Aga Khan Development Network has uplifted communities in Asia and Africa for over 60 years through holistic development programs in areas like health, education, and culture. The scope and sustainable approach of their work is tremendously inspiring.
Seeing dedication to services like Susan B.’s and the efforts of organizations like AKDN fuel my own motivation to better people’s lives through action. That spirit of meaningful change is truly inspiring to me.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
Causes that motivate me include addressing issues like child labor, homelessness, women’s financial empowerment, and mental health support worldwide. Currently, I’m helping organize fundraising events to support impactful nonprofits working in these areas internationally.
I’m also doing research to identify organizations effectively helping women gain economic independence and those providing mental health services in underserved areas. Holistic well-being is important.
While there is always more to be done, taking initial steps through fundraising and learning more about outstanding organizations in these fields is rewarding. I’m hopeful that ongoing involvement can help propel meaningful change on pressing global problems. Using my own position to help others facing challenges brings me fulfillment.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
For a long time, I was passionate about issues like mental health, women’s empowerment, and children’s rights but didn’t feel I had an effective way to create impact. I was doing my share of giving support, but I didn’t feel like I was making much of an impact. It felt more like a dream than a reality.
That changed for me in July 2020. A dear friend shared a short film with strong messaging on social causes. I was moved by its ability to raise awareness through powerful storytelling.
When I asked who created it and was told it was her son and friends, I had an “Aha moment.” I realized that if I supported these talented filmmakers by funding a project focused on the issues I cared most about, it could provide me with the platform I had always wanted.
Right then, I decided to approach my friend’s son and team to develop a film highlighting concerns around mental health. Having their skills and creative vision behind it gave me confidence that real impact could be made. Seeing the success of the short film, I was ready to take on another project raising awareness about child labor by celebrating Pakistani child activist Iqbal Masih.
It sparked a new drive in me to stop just thinking about change and start actively creating it. By empowering others through collaboration, a door opened for me to truly take action and begin addressing these critically important causes through storytelling and media. That pivotal conversation sparked my journey into meaningful advocacy and social change work.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
In 2021, during a screening of my short film on mental health issues, a young man approached me. He said watching the film was eye-opening for him, as he had been privately struggling with anxiety and depression for years but never told anyone.
The screening of my feature film Gunjal, which focuses on child labor, seemed to have a similar impact of allowing others to feel less isolated. By portraying harsh realities through compelling stories, I hope to raise awareness and support those who have overcome adversity.
After a screening of Gunjal in Paris, one audience member approached me in tears. She shared how deeply moved she was by the film’s unflinching portrayal of the difficulties children in similar situations endure. There are many people who are unaware that child labor still exists in parts of the world.
Through sharing authentic stories that highlight important social issues, I believe films can help address stigmas while also providing solace to those silently suffering from challenges explored on screen.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
The most impactful support comes from connecting people and spreading awareness of these important issues.
First, building partnerships between organizations working in similar areas allows us to combine our strengths for greater collective impact. By sharing resources, knowledge, and networks, we multiply our ability to make positive change at scale.
Second, raising visibility of our work through platforms like social media is key. It helps engage new audiences who may find ways to get involved as volunteers, advocates, or allies. With broader support, we can address challenges from more angles.
Finally, opportunities to screen films and discussions at community events or forums provide a venue to start important conversations. Dialogue is how we build understanding and bring issues into the public discourse.
Overall, the most valuable contributions come through building connections that unite us in common purpose, and increasing awareness to draw more people into supporting viable solutions through whatever means they are able. Financial support is always appreciated but connection and awareness are what really empower grassroots efforts to thrive.
Government agencies also play an important role. By engaging with advocacy groups, agencies can help draft policies and implement programs that address issues systematically and have lasting impact. Stronger laws and social welfare programs are needed to truly solve some of these problems. Collaboration across sectors is ideal for creating sustainable change at both the grassroots and policy levels.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
When first embarking on my filmmaking journey, there were certainly lessons I had to learn the hard way. As a businesswoman accustomed to navigating challenges, I understood difficulties, but the film industry brought growing pains of its own. Looking back, here are five things I wish I had known from the beginning:
- The importance of perfecting the script before production. My feature film proved a learning experience — I jumped straight to filming without fully developing the writing, which created unforeseen hurdles along the way.
- The need to properly manage expectations, as assuming everyone’s goals will seamlessly align is naive. Passion alone cannot overcome the complex dynamics at play.
- That it’s perfectly acceptable to seek guidance from experienced industry mentors. Trying to do everything independently was stressful and connecting with veterans would have helped immensely.
- Budgeting contingencies are essential for unexpected equipment, production delays and more. Fully accounting for potential expenses is critical for sustainability.
- The value of finding joy in small wins goes beyond the final product. Taking time to celebrate team milestones, even amid challenges, boosts morale for weathering future difficulties.
Overall, reflecting on these valuable early lessons has strengthened my approach and abilities tremendously for future projects. Experience truly is the best teacher.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
If I had one thing to tell other young people about why they should consider making a positive impact, it’s that we are all in this together. We depend on each other and our community to thrive. When even one person is suffering, it affects us all. By giving back in whatever ways we can with our talents and abilities, we are helping to build a supportive environment that lifts everyone.
While it may seem small, any act of service can lead to real change if we persevere. Whether through volunteering, raising awareness of issues, or helping those in need, every little bit contributes to solving problems and making our world more livable for all. You don’t have to feel fully prepared — taking that first step is what really matters.
As creative beings, we each have so much potential to address pressing issues in our own unique ways. While learning comes through doing, you’ll gain a great sense of pride and reward seeing the influence of your efforts. With perseverance and the support of others, any one person can make a positive difference. I encourage young people to start now participating however modestly. Our communities and futures depend on the participation of all.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
While the problem of child labor is extremely prevalent in developing countries, we are unfortunately seeing a rise of it here in the United States as well. This is deeply concerning to me as the relaxation of some child protection laws in America means we may be regressing rather than progressing on this critical issue. Some states including Alabama, Florida, Texas, Missouri, and others are trying to relax their child labor laws, where states like Arkansas and Kentucky have already passed laws raising the number of work hours allowed for 14–15-year-olds.
So, it’s my biggest ask 🙂 and I believe prominent figures like Oprah Winfrey, Emma Thompson could use their widespread platforms to shed more light on this growing problem domestically. As someone who has expertly used her platform to promote important social causes and inspire positive change globally, a collaboration with Oprah could help elevate the reach and impact of raising awareness about child labor here through films like Gunjal (Entangled). Her ability to engage huge audiences would be invaluable for spreading messages calling for strengthened laws and policies to uphold social justice and protect human rights.
Partnering with President Barack Obama could also open meaningful opportunities. He is an inspiring leader who champions children’s welfare and developmental issues through his foundation. Working with him could provide valuable guidance from his experience successfully tackling complex social problems, both nationally and internationally.
Any collaboration with high-profile advocates like Oprah, Obama, and Thompson who invest so much in empowering communities and creating positive change, could profoundly amplify efforts to spread these crucial messages to new audiences. Their massive platforms, experiences and resources would undoubtedly help make an even deeper difference on this urgent issue.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace” is one of my favorite life lesson quotes. I love it because it reminds me to make the most of every situation, even when things don’t go as planned. I’ve seen this quote’s relevance in my life in many areas.
For example, both when my husband and I started our small business over two decades ago with a convenience store, and when I embarked on making social justice films as an independent creator, it could have been easy to feel discouraged that things weren’t happening exactly as envisioned. However, this quote encouraged me to bloom where I was planted and find purpose in each phase of growth, rather than dwell on what was missing. Now our business has grown beyond what we imagined, and through the films I’ve made after gaining experience along the way, I’m able to tell the impactful stories I originally dreamed of.
How can our readers follow you online?
www.instagram.com/nighatakbarshah
www.linkedin.com/in/nighatakbarshah
www.twitter.com/nighatakbarshah
www.facebook.com/nighatakbarshah
www.tiktok.com/@adurproductions
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
This was a great discussion, and I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my experiences. Thank you!
Reference
Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Nighat Shah of Adur Productions Is Helping… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.