Filmmaker Asim Abbasi’s next, starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed in titular roles, would make its debut at the illustrious ‘Series Mania’ festival in March this year.

Barzakh which marks Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed’s reunion after 10 years, after their popular show Zindagi Gulzar Hai, is the only selection from South Asia at the festival scheduled to be held in Lille, France in March, said a statement.

The TV series is produced by Shailja Kejriwal and Waqas Hassan.

The web series will be screened as part of International Panorama line-up, a 12-title competitive section and is also nominated in several categories such as Best Series, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor as well as the Student Jury award and the Audience award.

“At its core, Barzakh is a family drama framed within a world of supernatural beings and other worldly events. The genesis of the story stemmed from a personal loss and the fears that came with it, making me realise that love is indeed eternal and nudging me to write a story about it. The selection of Barzakh at the Series Mania is such a momentous yet humbling occasion for all of us, not only because it’s a show that’s so close to my heart but also because the selection is such a strong validation of our belief in this story which is now finding its way amongst the best in the world,” Director Asim Abbasi said.

Held annually at Lille in France, the Series Mania festival, since its inception in 2010, has been instrumental in recognizing and curating the best series across the world.

“This series was conceptualised during the pandemic when all pre-defined notions of love, life, death and beyond were going through a seismic shift. Online work, mourning and celebrations had led to a sort of haze and confusion about what was real,” he added.

Barzakh, a family drama, has been shot in picturesque Hunza valley.

“I’m very thrilled as Barzakh not only finds its title, but also becomes the only series from our region to make it to the Series Mania Festival. We feel its selection at the festival is the perfect first step on the global journey the series is set to embark on,” said producer Kejriwal.