Two-time Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s SOC Films has launched its latest campaign, “Facets of Hate Speech,” a YouTube series comprising five films aimed at fostering a “new dialogue” on hate speech in Pakistan.
The first film in the series premieres today, Monday.
Obaid-Chinoy, who earned international acclaim with her Oscars for “Saving Face” (2012), a documentary on acid violence survivors, and “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” (2016), which explored the issue of honor killings, is once again tackling pressing social issues through her storytelling.
The series features activists, experts, and officials addressing critical topics such as cyber harassment, backlash against women’s rights movements, and the misuse of blasphemy laws.
The opening film, debuting on January 13, highlights the surge in cyber harassment in Pakistan, emphasizing its devastating impact on women and underscoring the urgent need for stronger legal protections and enhanced online safety measures.
“This campaign is a crucial step in confronting the grave threat of hate speech, which has deeply entrenched itself in the fabric of Pakistani society—an alarming reality that challenges the future we envision for our country,” Obaid-Chinoy said in a statement.
“Hate speech fuels intolerance, discrimination, and violence. It silences dissent, undermines human rights, and jeopardizes the very foundation of a just and equitable society. Through this series, we aim to give voice to the victims of hate speech, amplify the efforts of those fighting against it, and inspire action for a more inclusive and tolerant Pakistan.”
