Aisha Linnea is a Pakistani-American filmmaker based in Islamabad. Her work aims to celebrate uniquely Pakistani sub-cultures that don’t fit comfortably within the greater cultural identity. Although Aisha’s focus is on direction and writing, she has a diverse background in acting, music and production. She has directed shorts, commercials and music videos for local and international clients. Her work has been nominated for three Lux Style Awards and has garnered attention from media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, MTV, Al-Jazeera, Vice and more.
Anya is a Pakistani-Dutch writer, filmmaker and economist. She is moved by the human spirit, and seeks to tell stories that stretch conventional definitions. How She Moves is her directorial debut. Based between Washington D.C. and Islamabad, her work has always had a focus on quieter voices, supporting humanitarian causes, the quest for economic empowerment, equal rights and freedom of expression. Anya's short film Asma, is currently in post-production. She is a proud member of stand-up comedy troupe Auratnaak.
Films shown in Divvy Film Festival 2023
Unseen, Uzair Surhio & Afreen Zehra Salamat Masih is a Christian sewage cleaner from Lyari, Karachi, who is struggling to make ends meet with the filthiest job in a prejudiced system. This documentary vividly juxtaposes the bleakness of manual scavenging with inequality in Pakistan.
Still Here, Anya Raza, 2022
Still Here follows Omar's journey through trauma towards healing. It is inspired by the clients and work of the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) – which aims to eradicate and heal the wounds of torture globally.
Films shown in Divvy Film Festival 2021
Anya Raza & Aisha Linnea, How She Moves, 2020
On the eve of Pakistan’s 70th independence anniversary, we follow the spirited 90 year old guru Indu Mitha, as she prepares for her students’ final performance before she retires. How She Moves pulls back the curtain on her life as one of Pakistan’s few classical dance teachers. We observe her give a feminist and secular spin on classical dance, and see the transformative impact it has on her students.
On the eve of Pakistan’s 70th independence anniversary, we follow the spirited 90 year old guru Indu Mitha, as she prepares for her students’ final performance before she retires. How She Moves pulls back the curtain on her life as one of Pakistan’s few classical dance teachers. We observe her give a feminist and secular spin on classical dance, and see the transformative impact it has on her students.
