Sands 25: Yasmeen's Element (N/C PG) - Pay What You Can: £12, £10, £8

Introduced by Amman Abbasi (Writer/Director/Producer/Cinematographer), followed by Q&A with Amman Abbasi and Jeffrey E. Stern (Writer/Producer)

Yucan Qin* on why you should see Yasmeen's Element at Sands 25:

In Amman Abbasi's second feature film, Yasmeen's Element, we embark on a mysterious cultural adventure seen through the eyes of a child searching for her lost chemistry homework. This bold journey unfolds with a blend of comedy and suspense, as the child's innocent urgency transports us from the complexities of the modern world to a moment of childhood obsession over something seemingly trivial yet crucial to her day. As the narrative unfolds, it underscores the undeniable divide between the worlds of adults and children, skillfully conveyed through Yasmeen's perspective on screen. With unwavering determination, Yasmeen traverses roads and mountains, navigating both euphoria and frustration. In doing so, she portrays Pakistan as a land where nature is politicized and ravaged, yet still brims with hope.

Shown in Urdu with English subtitles
Dir: Amman Abbasi | 2024 USA/Pakistan/Portugal | 1h 16m

Contains scenes of mild peril and risk taking

*Sands films are selected by our Festival Director, Ania Trzebiatowska (who is also a feature film programmer for the Sundance Film Festival), in collaboration with a hand picked group of Student Curators from the University of St Andrews Department (which was ranked first in the UK for Media and Film Studies by The Guardian Good University Guide 2025.)