Iram Parveen Bilal

Iram Parveen Bilal is a global citizen and award-winning storyteller whose work bridges science and empathy to spark bold, inclusive narratives. A Caltech-trained environmental engineer turned filmmaker, she is a powerful voice in World Cinema, recognized for crafting socially resonant stories that challenge norms and inspire change. Her films-deeply rooted in equity and impact-have led to tangible social shifts, often advocating for causes that are underrepresented or politically charged. Committed to "raising while rising," Iram has created platforms to uplift others alongside her own ascent. She spearheaded the formation of the Pakistani Oscar committee and founded QALAMBAAZ, South Asia's first professional screenwriting lab, now in its eleventh year and operating across the region. A sought-after mentor for women in film and tech, Iram has been spotlighted as one of eight directors to watch by the Alliance of Women Directors. She serves on the boards of Film Fatales and Noorani Dance, and is a fellow of both Film Independent and the Thomas J. Watson Foundation. Her honors include multiple Women in Film awards, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, BBC, Bloomberg, and Filmmaker Magazine. An honors graduate of both Caltech and USC's prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program, Iram blends technical acumen with creative instinct. When not on set, she can be found dancing to Bollywood or brainstorming with fellow engineers. She believes curiosity is the most powerful antidote to fear. Her latest and boldest project, WAKHRI (One of a Kind), an audacious feature inspired by real-life digital activism, has earned accolades on the festival circuit. It is now headed for global distribution, with acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta on board as presenting Executive Producer.