Filmmaker and Scottish Ex-Forces veteran Shehzad Afzal has been named a finalist for the Innovator of the Year category in the world’s largest business celebration of the Armed Forces community. The prestigious awards, held annually in London, Glasgow, and Washington, D.C., recognise the exceptional skills veterans bring to all sectors of the economy. This platform highlights the talent pool within the veteran community, increasing visibility for service leavers and celebrating employers that support current and former Armed Forces members.
Shehzad expressed his gratitude, saying: "I would like to congratulate all the finalists from the Armed Forces community who have been recognised for their achievements in their respective fields. I’m humbled and honored to be a finalist for the Innovator of the Year category."
Dubbed the ‘Oscars of Veterans’ Employment,’ this year’s winners will be announced on 26 February at the Scottish Ex-Forces in Business Awards gala in Glasgow. Scottish broadcasting legend Sally Magnusson will host the prestigious evening, featuring distinguished guest speakers, award presenters, and entertainment.
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. He recently completed his passion project, his debut feature film Pendulum Drift, which is set for festival release in 2025.
Reflecting on his work, Shehzad shared: "Producing a feature film is an immense challenge. I had to innovate, developing technical and creative processes to enable sustainable, eco-friendly production methods that reduce waste, time, and resource consumption. My time with the Corps of Royal Engineers instilled in me resilience, fortitude, and determination—qualities that are highly valued in business. The ability to think on your feet, improvise, and solve problems under pressure is a force multiplier for any industry, especially in today’s economic climate. There's a reason the British Army is still regarded as the best in the world—its emphasis on diversity, inclusion, teamwork, and a can-do attitude."
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