Twinkling without Shining (Afghans in Search of Childhood)

Twinkling without Shining (Afghans in Search of Childhood) is a staggering tale of Afghan refugee kids who have been living in Pakistan for over several decades. Darweeza, a Persian boy from the northern Afghanistan has ended up on a shabby sidewalk with his younger brother Bari; while Zaman from the Pashto-speaking, southern region lives with his family in a run down shack in the port city of Karachi. These children like other Afghani boys fled hunger, poverty and war in the neighbouring Afghanistan. Unfortunately, they were born but not raised; they pick recyclable items from junk to earn a livelihood. They share their meagre income with their parents back home, in war-shattered Afghanistan. With no shelter, schooling or medical care, these (pre)teens have lost their childhood. An elusive dream of a lasting peace in Afghanistan haunts these innocent souls, hindering them to return to their homeland.

• Writers: Khalid Hasan Khan
• Producers: Khalid Hasan Khan, Syed Ovais Ali
• Cinematographer / DOP: Zahid Raja
• Editor: Jehangir Hanif
• Sound: Allana