As someone who’s always sought innovation—whether in interactive game design or filmmaking—I’ve used 'Pendulum Drift' as a platform to experiment with both creative narrative and efficient sustainable production methods. It’s a film built not only on storytelling but on a fresh way of thinking about how we create films.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, developed an interest in filmmaking at childhood, which later in life helped to drive his creative passion.
His first film was a short graduation piece called, The Full 10 Yards (2004), filmed in Edinburgh, Scotland, a controversial narrative which garnered awards and festival screenings.
The follow up project, a documentary called Bo Kata (2007), was filmed in Lahore, Pakistan in 2004 but completed and released in 2007. It went on to receive a limited theatrical release in the UK, in-addition to screening at numerous national and international film festivals.
Shehzad was nominated for the Satyajit Ray Film Foundation Award in 2007 for best film (Bo Kata) at a ceremony held in London (with awards presented by BAFTA winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia), in association with the British Council and British Film Institute.
His other projects, a number of game designs and concepts, won him a place as a finalist for the Global Digital Cities Game Design competition on two occasions (2005 and 2007).
Shehzad is a former graduate of Robert Gordons University, Aberdeen, and Abertay University, Dundee, studying computer science and creative writing. Gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from Dundee College presented to him by Dundee United football legend, Paul Sturrock.
In 2007, he commenced a Master of Arts in Screen Project Development from Screen Academy Scotland. He gained his Masters with distinction, winning the first prize award for his academic achievements and receiving the prestigious Edinburgh Napier University Class Medal.
During his time at the Screen Academy Scotland, Shehzad produced two short films, which went on to win many awards. One of which was a collaboration first between Screen Academy Scotland and Screen Academy Wales. In 2009, Shehzad was presented the Edinburgh International Film Festival Trailblazer award, celebrating emerging British talent in cinema, an award which was presented to him by Sir Sean Connery.
Having always strived to work creatively within constraints, 'Pendulum Drift' takes this to the next level. The production was not only efficient but green, using sustainable principles to reduce waste, time, and resource consumption while maintaining the high standards I set for myself as a filmmaker. It’s a project that reflects my belief that art and sustainability can coexist.
In 2010 he was awarded the Abbey Santander Scholarship Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film and Creative Media at a special event held at Edinburgh Napier University.
Shehzad's main focus is on actor performance and realisation within a neo-noir/social realist/expressionist dimension. Influences include maverick filmmakers such as John Cassavetes, Sidney Lumet, and Joseph Losey.
In 2010, Shehzad was selected for a european wide talent development initiative for emerging film talent in Europe, called ENGAGE. The initiative presented masterclasses, seminars, and film project development sessions which took place in Finland, Ireland, Estonia and Scotland, from leading international filmmakers.
A firm advocate of sustainable film production, Shehzad embarked on a new project entitled, "Pendulum Drift", a feature length film which would be used to innovate and develop new techniques and processes, leading to eco-friendly film production, and in turn inform the film industry.
Post production for "Pendulum Drift" completed in December 2024 and is set to be released to film festivals around the world in 2025. Interested film festival programmers should contact us using the contact form on our website.
During 2019, Shehzad developed an Android Application called Bo Kata Digital, which took his documentary film, Bo Kata, and made it available as a downloadable app, which included the film and some extras such as film notes. Available to download from both Amazon App Store and Google Play Store.
Shehzad further extended his learning and focus on sound design, completing a course in Sound Design for Music & Games from the Academy of Music and Sound in 2023. This supplemented his skills in music scoring and composition which he applied to the Bo Kata Trailer and social media indents a few years earlier. The skills gained from this course would help him to complete the sound design elements for his debut feature film, Pendulum Drift.
Between 2022 and 2025, Shehzad continued his skills development and learning in technology and innovation processes. He successfully completed BSc and MBA level modules in Cybersecurity and Innovation Management at both Abertay University and Edinburgh Napier University. This also included completion of an IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Certification course which he also successfully completed. These skills would augment his technology and eco-friendly approach to media and filmmaking projects.
I’m always learning, whether it’s through my academic studies or in the field of filmmaking. This pursuit of knowledge has allowed me to approach 'Pendulum Drift' in new and exciting ways, blending traditional cinematic storytelling with cutting-edge techniques in sustainability and technology.
Shehzad attested and became a reservist in the British Army at the age of 47 during 2016, joining the Corps of Royal Engineers. He passed basic training at Army Training Centre Pirbright in February 2017 aged 48. Retiring from the Army in 2022, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service.
Shehzad's innovative approach to filmmaking has been evident throughout his career. In 2009, he received the Trailblazer Award from Sir Sean Connery in Edinburgh, recognising his emerging talent in British cinema. In 2025, Shehzad was selected as a finalist for the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Innovator of the Year Award, which celebrated and recognised his achievements in advancing and developing eco-friendly sustainable approaches to film production and creative narratives through innovation.
Shehzad is continuing his education in the fields of innovation and technology where it will allow him to explore and provide new avenues to develop and inform his creative and interactive entertainment career pursuits.