The Karachi Literature Festival has long been a gathering place for book lovers. This year, the festival featured engaging talks on cultural identity and how storytelling can create social change. Renowned authors and literature enthusiasts came together to discuss how words shape opinions and influence society.

To celebrate literary excellence, the KLF – Getz Pharma Book Prize recognized outstanding work in English fiction, Urdu Prose, and Urdu poetry. This year’s winners were:

• English Fiction: The Monsoon War by Bina Shah
• Urdu Prose: Saat Janam by Shafqat Naghmi & Sindhu by Jeem Abbasi
• Urdu Poetry: Koh-e-Malaal by Saeed Shariq

Beyond literature, KLF also delved into the world of real-life movies with Cinema Verité: Exploring Non-Fiction Films from Pakistan and Beyond. This interesting talk featured filmmakers Zakir Thaver, Haya Fatima Iqbal, Samia Khan, with Ziad Zafar as the moderator. Their discussions highlighted the power of documentary storytelling in addressing pressing social issues and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Held at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi, from February 7 to 9, 2025, the festival was full of ideas, creativity, and learning. Visitors immersed themselves in book launches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that showcased the enduring impact of literature and the arts.