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Los Angeles based filmmaker Aqsa Altaf loves to capture moments that feel like they are stolen from everyday life with a cinematic edge. Being raised in Kuwait by Pakistani and Sri Lankan parents in a Muslim household, Aqsa is fascinated with telling stories that are diverse in nature and reflect on subject matters that are universal.

Aqsa graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts. Her short film ONE SMALL STEP has won many awards and played at the American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival 2019. It was also shortlisted for BAFTA Student Film Awards.

She was nominated for the Young Director Award 2019 at Cannes Lions for her film THE LONG FAREWELL which she made under the mentorship of Werner Herzog. She recently got selected as one of the directors for the Disney Launchpad under which she wrote and directed a short film that will be released on Disney+.

AWARDS (Partial List)

BAFTA Student Film Awards 2018 (Shortlist) - ONE SMALL STEP
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2018 (Official Selection) - ONE SMALL STEP
American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase 2019 - ONE SMALL STEP
Young Director Award 2019 | Cannes Lions (Shortlist) - THE LONG FAREWELL
KCET Fine Cut 2018 (Winner: Narrative Film) - ONE SMALL STEP
The Short List | The Wrap's Short Film Festival 2018 (Official Selection) - ONE SMALL STEP
USC School of Cinematic Arts | First Look Film Festival 2018 (Winner: Outstanding Achievement in Directing) - ONE SMALL STEP
Santa Fe Independent Film Festival 2018 (Winner: Best US Narrative Short) - ONE SMALL STEP
Et Cultura Film Festival 2018 (Winner: Best Student Drama) - ONE SMALL STEP
Bluestocking Film Series 2018 (Official Selection) - ONE SMALL STEP 
Quebec City Film Festival 2018 (Official Selection) - ONE SMALL STEP