Babar Ahmed
Encyclopedia
This article is about the British writer. For the terrorism suspect, see Babar Ahmad
Babar Ahmed is a British/American writer/director of Pashtun
and Pakistan
i descent. According to the BBC he is one of the most prominent South Asian film directors in America.
in England where he studied economics, a post graduate of Cambridge University and the New York Film Academy
.
Produced some of the World Bank's most successful videos on Natural Disasters, Urbanization, and Health. Currently working on multiple World Bank projects.
He has been covered on major TV stations such as BBC World TV, NBC 4, and CH 9 WUSA, and in major trade papers such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Most recent feature film he directed is the supernatural movie "Sid's Paralysis" starring Anup Sugunan and Nishi Rajan which is due for release in late 2011.
His debut feature film Genius (2003)
received 3 international awards and was released in America on video. Variety Magazine described the end twist of "Genius" as 'an impressively orchestrated unexpected zinger'.
His second film was the psychological thriller Royal Kill
starring Academy Award nominee Pat Morita
, Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts
, Gail Kim
, and Lalaine
which he wrote and directed. The movie was distributed nationwide on video in America by Lionsgate in 2010.
"Royal Kill" was released in limited AMC theaters in America. AMC Theaters (unlike independent chains like Landmark) is known for exclusively playing mega-budget mainstream studio movies. "Royal Kill" was one of the lowest budgeted movies ever to play at AMC playing alongside "Fast and Furious" and "Hannah Montana". After a successful first week in theaters "Royal Kill"'s theatrical run was extended to a second, and then a third week.
Babar Ahmed is a British/American writer/director of Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i descent. According to the BBC he is one of the most prominent South Asian film directors in America.
Education
Ahmed is a graduate of University College LondonUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
in England where he studied economics, a post graduate of Cambridge University and the New York Film Academy
New York Film Academy
New York Film Academy - School of Film and Acting is a film school andacting school based in New York City, Universal City, California, USA and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. NYFA offers short-term film-making and acting courses, as well as one- and two-year conservatory and Master of Fine Arts...
.
Professional career
Dual career as a feature film director of mainstream movies and a video producer of development films for institutions such as the World Bank.Produced some of the World Bank's most successful videos on Natural Disasters, Urbanization, and Health. Currently working on multiple World Bank projects.
He has been covered on major TV stations such as BBC World TV, NBC 4, and CH 9 WUSA, and in major trade papers such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Most recent feature film he directed is the supernatural movie "Sid's Paralysis" starring Anup Sugunan and Nishi Rajan which is due for release in late 2011.
His debut feature film Genius (2003)
Genius (2003)
Genius is a 2003 direct-to-video American dramatic film, written and directed by Babar Ahmed. The film was Ahmed's debut feature film. It was screened at several film festivals receiving multiple awards and then released straight to video.- Plot :...
received 3 international awards and was released in America on video. Variety Magazine described the end twist of "Genius" as 'an impressively orchestrated unexpected zinger'.
His second film was the psychological thriller Royal Kill
Royal Kill
Royal Kill is a 2009 psychological thriller starring Academy Award nominees Eric Roberts and Pat Morita, along with Lalaine and professional wrestler Gail Kim. The movie is directed by Babar Ahmed. The movie was released April 10, 2009 in theaters...
starring Academy Award nominee Pat Morita
Pat Morita
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita was an American actor of Japanese descent who was well-known for playing the roles of Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi on Happy Days and Mr. Miyagi in the The Karate Kid movie series, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1984.-Early life:Pat...
, Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts
Eric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
, Gail Kim
Gail Kim
Gail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
, and Lalaine
Lalaine
Lalaine Vergara-Paras , also known as Lalaine, is an American actress, singer-songwriter and spokesperson. She is perhaps best known for her role as Miranda Sanchez in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire, which aired from 2001 to 2004. She has been pursuing a music career since 2009...
which he wrote and directed. The movie was distributed nationwide on video in America by Lionsgate in 2010.
"Royal Kill" was released in limited AMC theaters in America. AMC Theaters (unlike independent chains like Landmark) is known for exclusively playing mega-budget mainstream studio movies. "Royal Kill" was one of the lowest budgeted movies ever to play at AMC playing alongside "Fast and Furious" and "Hannah Montana". After a successful first week in theaters "Royal Kill"'s theatrical run was extended to a second, and then a third week.
Awards for Genius (2003)
- Outstanding Film Creativity. Indo-American Arts Council Film FestivalIndo-American Arts CouncilThe Indo-American Arts Council is an American non-profit cultural organization that promotes Indian art, theatre, film, fashion, music and dance in the United States. The Council was established in 1998 in New York City...
, 2003
- Gold Medal For Excellence. Audience Favorite. Park City Film Music Festival, 2004
- Best Feature Film. Jury Award. Velleyfest Film Festival, 2003