Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has joined Afia Nathaniel’s short film Don’t Be Tardy, Myra as an executive producer, raising the profile of the project ahead of the 98th Academy Awards.
The short film, which earned an Oscar berth after performing well at film festivals, reunites Nathaniel with Pakistani storytelling, 10 years after his feature debut, Dukhtar, which premiered in Toronto in 2014.
Nathaniel’s latest novel centers on 10-year-old Maira (Innaya Umah), who misses her ride to school and walks alone through the streets of Lahore. The film follows her increasingly dangerous journey home, capturing the threats children face in public. Drawing on his own experience as a survivor, Nathaniel tackles the often-understood issue of child harassment head-on.
“Myra’s story is urgent and real,” Obaid-Chinoy said. “‘Don’t Be Tardy, Myra’ speaks to the fears that every young girl knows all too well, while also celebrating the courage it takes to survive and be heard. Being behind this film is not only a responsibility, but a joy. I’m proud to come on board as an executive producer and help bring this important story to the world.”
The backing of a filmmaker carries a lot of weight. In addition to winning two Academy Awards and two Emmy Awards, Obaid-Chinoy also directed Ms. Marvel for Marvel Studios.
The short won top honors at the Bergen International Film Festival in New Jersey and the Montreal International Film Festival.
Additional executive producers include René Bastian (“Transamerica”) and Shrihari Sathe (“Stay Awake”) of Dialectic, along with Rohi Mirza Pandya of Box Office Guru Media and RASA Film Group.
For Pakistani-American director Nathaniel, this project continues her track record of purpose-driven work. ‘Dukhtar’ represented Pakistan at the Oscars and was screened in over 20 countries. She then broke barriers at NBCUniversal and became the first Pakistani-American woman to direct a network drama in the United States when she directed “Chicago Med” through the Launch Female Forward initiative.
