The $10 Film: Hassaan Imtiaz's Film Festival Conquest. An Exclusive Interview of the Manifested Youngster

Hassaan Imtiaz is a celebrated filmmaker known around the world. He has been involved in three films, where he took on multiple roles. In two of these films, Hassaan produced, directed, and acted, showcasing his diverse talent.

His most notable work is “509,” a short horror film impressively made with just $10, using a smartphone, and filmed in a single shot. “509” has earned six awards, including a critic’s award, highlighting Hassaan’s exceptional creativity and skill.

We had the chance to interview Hassaan about his groundbreaking film “509” and his journey as a filmmaker. He shared insights into the inspiration behind the film, the challenges of working with minimal resources, and the creative process that brought “509” to life. It was a fascinating conversation that shed light on his innovative approach to filmmaking.

Actor | Writer, Director, Producer to 509 – Hassaan Imtiaz – Parhlo

Parhlo: Can you walk us through the inspiration behind “509” and how the idea for the film originated?

Hassaan Imtiaz: By the age of 21, I achieved a remarkable feat, winning 6 awards and 10 recognitions for my debut direction and screenplay. My film “509” shattered expectations, triumphing over films with budgets 10-100 times larger which were shot on professional cameras, whereas my film was made with only $10 from a smartphone. This underdog story resonates deeply as “509” triumphed in international film festivals across various countries. Subsequently, Later I was honoured to be appointed as the President of The Islamabad International Film Festival, becoming the youngest to hold such a prestigious position in Pakistan’s film festival history.

Parhlo: What challenges did you face in producing a horror short film with such a limited budget, and how did you overcome them?

Hassaan Imtiaz: With limited finance after losing over 80-90% of my investment portfolio, it was hard to sustain and promote myself in further projects. However, my short film 509 proved that what is more important is a good narrative, screenplay, improvisation and collaborations. The inspiration was breaking the stereotypical practice director’s make when making a horror genre, it was to bring the limelight towards films being scary without having an exceptionally overdone terrifying monster or relying heavily on VFX/CGI. It was a struggle to make a film and assembling a crew with no budget however it was vision I had to sell and trust which I had to establish. Mainly, there was a limit till where I could exhaust and utilize the crew as we had to shut down all ventilation on the set to capture live noise.

Parhlo: The decision to shoot “509” in one take with no cuts is quite unconventional. What prompted this creative choice, and how did it contribute to the film’s impact?

Yes, it had to be a single cut film to maintain a high suspension of disbelief else the jump scare would not have been as effective. Of course, this meant better rehearsals and no room for error, as one mistiming from the crew or break of character or inconsistency would result in the complete 5-minute take being disposed. Everything, including acting, stunts, jump scares, and camerawork, would have had to be perfectly timed.

There came points where I would not even have enough money to submit to festivals and would ask for loans from my close circle to have a meal or pay for some submission fees.

Parhlo: “509” has achieved significant acclaim and won numerous awards internationally. What do you believe resonates most with audiences and critics about your film?

Hassaan Imtiaz: “I envision myself becoming Pakistan’s foremost self-made star and filmmaker in the coming decade, dedicated to showcasing the richness of Pakistani Cinema and Culture to a global audience. My aspiration is to set new records on larger international platforms, building on the foundation of being recognized as one of the youngest Pakistani filmmakers and actors to receive significant international acclaim.”

I want the youth and upcoming filmmakers to be optimistic about the future of Pakistani cinema and shedding light to the upcoming talent as well as the importance of story, good narrative rather than big production budgets. Filmmakers should get inspired from the fact that they need to just do and not be worried by having no budgets. It is creativity and skills that matter. The short horror film ” 509 ” should be used as an example.

Parhlo: As the writer, director, producer, and main lead of “509,” how did you juggle multiple roles, and what insights did you gain from this experience?

Hassaan Imtiaz: From my journey, I hope others can learn the power of perseverance, creativity, and resourcefulness. My experience shows that success in filmmaking, or any field, isn’t limited by budget or resources but by the depth of your vision and the strength of your determination. My ability to create award-winning films with minimal resources highlights the importance of innovation and thinking outside the box

Parhlo: How do you envision the future of “509” and your career in filmmaking? Are there any upcoming projects or aspirations you’d like to share with us?

Hassaan Imtiaz: “I envision myself becoming Pakistan’s foremost self-made star and filmmaker in the coming decade, dedicated to showcasing the richness of Pakistani Cinema and Culture to a global audience My upcoming projects include the short film “ZAKI,” for which the 4K Teaser has released gathering 60+ views across social platforms in around the first 72 hours, as well as the Islamabad International Film Festival taking place this year in Istanbul and Islamabad later this year with record-breaking submissions crossing 1000 from over 96 countries.

Parhlo: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers, especially those working with limited resources, based on your journey with “509”?

Hassaan Imtiaz: My experience shows that success in filmmaking, or any field, isn’t limited by budget or resources but by the depth of your vision and the strength of your determination.

Parhlo: How do you hope “509” will impact its viewers, and what message or emotions do you aim to convey through the film?

Hassaan Imtiaz: My ability to create award-winning films with minimal resources highlights the importance of innovation and thinking outside the box. Additionally, my commitment to promoting Pakistani cinema and culture on the international stage serves as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers to dream big and break barriers. With passion, resilience, and creativity, one can achieve remarkable success against all odds.