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.
In May 2016, Shehzad attested and became a reservist in the British Army at the age of 47 with the Royal Engineers, passing his basic training at ATC Pirbright in February 2017 aged 48, making him just a handful of people to have ever accomplished this feat. Retired and Honourably discharged in 2022 and awarded Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal 2022.
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.
In 2020, Shehzad was selected for the pilot programme run by Salutemyjob and IBM to reskill military veterans and serving personnel wishing to enter the cyber-security industry with an intensive training programme delivered by IBM Security Experts at Abertay University. After successfully gaining IBM Cyber-Security credentials and certifications, Shehzad was offered a chance to study for ethical hacking penetration testing module(s), part of the BSc in Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security course at Abertay University, which he completed successfully. Also completed the IBM (Vets program) course to gain IBM Professional Cybersecurity Analyst Certification.
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.
Also during 2020, Shehzad was offered a place at Edinburgh Napier University to study Innovation Management, part of the Edinburgh Napier University MBA programme, which Shehzad successfully completed. Undertook and successfully completed a course of study in Sound Design for Film and Video Games at the Academy of Sound and Music in 2023. In 2024, at Abertay University, Shehzad successfully completed a course of study in Cybersecurity Governance and Policy (part of the Salutemyjob Vets programme). Further advancing his knowledge of technology and arts.
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.