Pakistani film industry was celebrated at AFA16 with a star studded evening in Dubai

The ARY Digital Network has been a major contributor in shaping Pakistan's entertainment and media landscape during the past decade. After proving its metal in the small screen medium it has now successfully positioned itself in a leading role in the big screen entertainment business under the banner of ARY Films. With the introduction of the ARY Film Awards, the network has been instrumental in providing the much needed platform of recognition and appreciation of the efforts of the film industry which needs it the most as it takes small steps towards becoming a successful and organized part of Pakistan's media arena.

Zeba Bakhtair & Faysal Qureshi

The ARY Film Awards 2016 (AFA16) was conducted in the posh locality of Dubai Madinat Jumeirah at the Madinat Arena on 16^thApril 2016. Instead of a red carpet, AFA16 boasted an orange carpet styled in the theme colors of the presenting sponsor Tang. The orange carpet itself turned into an indulging affair at the breezy April evening where the top celebrities mingled with the media and the cream of Dubai.

Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja & ARY team

The AFA16 was hosted by the handsome Fahad Mustafa and the stunning Sana Bucha. The naughty Ahmed Ali Butt had several entries in order spice up things in between the formalities of the awards. Highlights of Ahmed's performance were the hilarious mimic session of the singer Taher Shah and his 'Angel' song and the funny candy awards he distributed among Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humayun Saeed, Wiqar Ali Khan and others.

The performances of the night took everybody by a storm as the crowd was not expecting such well-coordinated and beautifully choreographed numbers along with huge screens at the back throwing a wild spectrum of colors at the background. Sohai Ali Abro, Humayun Saeed and Vasay Chaudhry performed on the songs of their movie 'Jawana Phir Nahi Ani'. Fahad Mustafa paid tribute to Waheed Murad by performing on the songs originally done by the legend himself. Mehwish Hayat, Faisal Qureshi and Sumbul Iqbal gave stunning performances on Pakistani songs.

Syed Noor & Aamina Sheikh

Salman Iqbal, Founder and President, ARY Digital Network on this prestigious event shared “I am proud to see Pakistani talent performing on an international stage and I always believe that Pakistan had immense talent and just needs to be given the right platform to.”

The best thing about the awards was that it was a true Pakistani event utilizing celebrity talent of Pakistan only. Conforming to ARY's 'Made in Pakistan' slogan, once again it was proved that Pakistan has world class talent and it only needs a better platform to make the stars shine brighter.

The ARY Film Awards 2016 is proudly presented by Tang, powered by L'Oreal Paris and Oye Hoye. Ecostar and Star Marketing are there as the main sponsors.

The ARY Film Awards, commonly known as The AFA's, is an annual Pakistani awards ceremony honoring the cinematic achievements of film industry. Winners are awarded the golden statue, officially the ARY Film Award of merit that is much often known as an AFA trophy. The awards, first presented in 2014 at Golf Club, Karachi, are overseen and organized by ARY Digital Network and Entertainment Channel. ARY Film Awards became an electoral race to the trophy to best film in any category, as per being the first awarding ceremony of reboot era of Pakistani Film Industry.