
Qandeel Baloch was a Pakistani actress & singer. She became a social media sensation when she started posting her videos on various social media platforms. She became popular when she appeared on the stage of Pakistan idol & became popular on 15th July 2016 when she was murdered by her brother. He killed her in the name of his family’s honor due to her controversial videos on social media.
Directed by Safyah Zafar Usmani, co-directed by Saad Zuberi and produced by SOC Films
A LIFE TOO SHORT is a story of an honor killing which chronicles the life of social media superstar. The late Qandeel Baloch, who pushed boundaries in conservative Pakistan like no other.
Pakistan’s leading and multi-award winning production house SOC FILMS’ latest documentary, A LIFE TOO SHORT, debuted at the 11th edition of DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival. In one of its most prestigious section — Short List: Shorts.
Indeed, the Short List sections at DOC NYC showcases a selection of shorts that the festival’s programming team considers. To be among the year’s strongest contenders for Oscars and other awards.
Qandeel Baloch died at 26 years old when her brother smothered her to death. This, because of her open exclamations of women’s equality & sexuality through her sensational social media presence.
“Making A Life Too Short has been a labor of love for more than three years and now that it’s ready to go out into the world, I am both nervous and excited.
Undoubtedly, Qandeel had big dreams and the courage to create her own identity. I am left terrified every time I realize that not all women amongst us are afforded their basic right to choose...Or to live however they want.
Yet I live for the day when there won’t be a price to pay should a woman choose to follow her heart.”
said director Safyah Zafar Usmani on working on A LIFE TOO SHORT.
“Making biographical films is always tricky, but it’s harder when your subject is as complex and widely misunderstood as Qandeel Baloch.
There’s so much more to her story than how it came to an end. It’s really important for the world to remember the price Qandeel had to pay just because she chose to dream big. Hopefully this film will help do that.”
said co-director Saad Zuberi on working on the documentary.
A LIFE TOO SHORT is one of the 12 titles showcased this year at DOC NYC The Short List: Shorts.

Last year the selection included seven of the ten films that went on to be named to the Oscars Shortlist for Documentary Shorts and three of DOC NYC’s picks went on to be Oscar nominees.
This year’s DOC NYC’s winning short will qualify for consideration in the Documentary Short Subject category of the Annual Academy Awards® in 2021 without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.
A LIFE TOO SHORT – Acquired by MTV Documentary Films!
This is a division of MTV Studios lineup that tackles the social, political and cultural topics since it’s affecting the immediate lives and future outlooks of young people today.
It’s directed by Safyah Zafar Usmani, co-directed by Saad Zuberi and produced by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. A LIFE TOO SHORT also features Executive Producers Sheila Nevins & Guy Oseary, Cinematographer Nadir Siddiqui and Editor Mishaal Adhaami. Post-Production by Sourath Behan, Sound by Sameer Khan and Music by Ahsan Bari.