Joyland – Watch the trailer for Saim Sadiq’s debut feature

UK distributor Studio Soho has released the new trailer and poster for Saim Sadiq’s debut feature Joyland, the first film by a Pakistani director to win at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. Alongside its jury prize win, JOYLAND received the Queer Palme Award at Cannes as well as Special Jury Mention at SXSW and an Honourable Mention for the Sutherland Award at the London Film Festival. JOYLAND is the first feature film from Pakistan to make the shortlist for the Academy Awards.

The feature follows a patriarchal family as they yearn for the birth of a baby boy to continue the family line, while their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for an ambitious trans starlet. Their impossible love story begins to illuminate the entire family’s desire for a sexual rebellion.

JOYLAND is the feature debut of writer and director Saim Sadiq whose previous short film “Darling” won the Orizzonti Best Short Film award at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. The film stars Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq, Sarwat Gilani, Sohail Sameer, Salman Peerzada, and Sania Saeed. Cinematography is by Joe Saade (“Costa Brava Lebanon,” “Broken Keys”).

JOYLAND will be released in UK cinemas on 24th February 2023.