Haroon Riaz

HAROON RIAZ Documentary Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Creative AI Consultant, and Advertising Creative Director Phone - | Mobile: - | Email:-| http://twitter.com/HaroonRiaz | www.haroonriaz.com LinkedIn: http://pk.linkedin.com/in/haroon-riaz | Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0146f96e4149b6f21c Behance:: https://www.behance.net/HaroonRiaz | Creative Portfolio: bit.ly/407eXFE | AI Portfolio: bit.ly/3FbFw59 BIO SUMMARY Haroon Riaz is a documentary filmmaker, creative director, and communications consultant with more than 10 years of experience leading campaigns at communication and production agencies for UN brands, NGOs, and local and global brands. He directed Natari (climate migration) and writer of multi-award-winning Indus Blues, with a portfolio that blends social impact storytelling and AI innovation. EXPERIENCE February 2015 to date: Independent Documentary Filmmaker, Communications Consultant, and​ Advertising Creative Director​ Directed a feature and several documentaries and other communications collateral for various clients across commercial, government, and development sectors. Conceived campaign concepts and execution, supervised still and video photography, as well as the execution of website and other collateral development, event communications collateral, and integrated creative content strategy and execution. Natari (2021) – Director, Editor, and Writer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3g1ZSgcx_8 The Frozen Giants of Karakoram (2020) – Director and Writer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFBig95Oub4 Indus Blues (2018) – Screenwriter and Associate Producer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbnfUycYhwk Generative AI Video Portfolio: Cheezious PSL Campaign (Midjourney + Runway ML) Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3khgGqMPCU/?igsh=MWhic293NjN6MGQ0ZQ== Cheezious Township Branch Launch​ Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/p/DKY-gHPoDMH/ FFC 14th August Video https://www.linkedin.com/posts/faujifertilizer_ffc-independence-day-activity--jIe6? Clients: USAID, USIP, UNDP, Oxfam Pakistan, The Dawood Foundation, Mobilink Business (Jazz Business), Telenor Pakistan, Airblue CGNP, CWS/P-A, Suntory Beverages, Japan September 2022 to August 2025: Synergy Dentsu as Creative Lead - Islamabad Creative Direction, strategy, and supervision of all Islamabad accounts, including concept and campaign development, quality control, supervision of product photography and commercial shoots covering more than 10 major productions, creatve art direction through generative AI, including Midjourney and Runway ML, creative project management, and communication direction. Created approved IMC Strategy and Production Budgeting for Cheezious for two consecutive years, as well as the launch of the brand’s biggest sports partnership in its history with Peshawar Zalmi. Crafted the creative direction for the PSEB Tech Destination Pakistan film. Supervised the development of annual reports of Saudi Pak, Mobilink Bank, and Khushhali Bank. Most of all, inspiring the creative team never to stop exploring new possibilities. ●​ Managed multiple clients simultaneously including Cheezious Pakistan, PSEB, U Microfinance Bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank, ONIC, Khushhali Microfinance Bank, Askari Bank, Bestway Cement, Murree Brewery, Premier Choice International,​ Attock Energy, EXIM Bank, FFC, Attock Petroleum Limited, and Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company. Cheezious x Zalmi: Mein Zalmi Mein Cheezious PSL Anthem Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIgkUgTsEBc/​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWREecPg6F8 Zalmi Meal Tactical DVC https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI6HMsCoCfZ/ Cheezious: Cheezy Rider to the Rescue (Delivery Campaign) Creative Director DVC 1 https://www.instagram.com/cheeziouspakistan/reel/DCWwQGyoHgG/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzWMFxSIdgg DVC 2 https://www.instagram.com/cheeziouspakistan/reel/DC9Z82QMBHJ/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTAZSqwKw5o DVC 3 https://www.instagram.com/cheeziouspakistan/reel/DEfXMbHokRM/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMsz4MUUuc Case Study: bit.ly/40kW01Y Cheezious: Cheezy Peri Peri Pizza Product Launch Digital Campaign Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHonElPI26s/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03uc6Vk5Xe8 September 2021 to September 2022: Xdynamix Media Communications as Creative Director Developed concepts, wrote scripts for, and directed short corporate films and supervised the production of animation videos. Salient projects include Telenor Pakistan’s Sustainability Video, Telenor Pakistan Open Mind Corporate Film, and JICA 70th Anniversary Animation Film. Advised HBL Microfinance Bank Limited on its marketing communication and digital campaigns. ●​ Clients include Telenor Pakistan, JICA, GIZ, HBL Microfinance Bank Ltd. (Now HBL Microfinance Bank) December 2019 to date: Pakistan International Mountain Film Festival as Creative Director Responsible for assisting the Festival Director of one of the only three mountain film festivals in Asia in designing the program and film selections out of submissions from around the world, and developing concepts for the event theme. Engaging partners and panelists to participate in the festival program. www.pimff.org December 2018 to May 2019: Eyebex Films as Creative Director Wrote the script for and directed a feature documentary for the United Arab Emirates Pakistan Assistance Program End Polio Campaign. Conceived, wrote, and directed several short documentary and news projects and one film project. Associate Producer, PTV Show Rickshaw Diary. Wrote, directed, and produced news reports for DW News. Served as personal research and production associate to Managing Director Wajahat Malik for documentary projects. ●​ Clients include The World Bank, UAE Pakistan Assistance Program, Samsons Malam Jabba Ski Resort, PTV, DW January 2020 to June 2021 Jawad Sharif Films as Independent Creative Consultant Wrote the script for and directed several short documentary projects. Responsible for developing concepts for film funding pitches. Writing and directing an independent short documentary film on Climate Migration due to climate change and seawater intrusion in the Indus Delta. Developed the concept of “Color of Smog,” a film about artists expressing themselves to raise awareness about the dangers and impact of smog and environmental pollution in Lahore. ●​ Clients include USIP, Oxfam Pakistan, Save the Children, Dubai Expo 2020/1​ Mar. 2009 to date: Freelance Screenwriter, Copywriter, Blogger, and Researcher Created branding concepts, fiction and documentary scripts, explainer video scripts, website content, sales copy, promotional articles, blog posts, email templates, official public communications, and press releases. Also created online guide e-books as a researcher, involving content editing, proofreading, and occasional supervision of other writers. Ability to research and create content on any given topic. ●​ Clients include Oxfam, FAO, WWF, WHO, Telenor Pakistan, Unbroken Minds, Yansmedia, Tripigator, ArchvTech May 2016 to December 2018: Xdynamix Media Communications/Bipolar Films as Creative Head Drafted scripts for a short documentary film, animation videos, supplement articles, brochure content, advertisements, and creative promos for several clients, created ad campaigns, and graphic concepts. Covered events, produced social media content, and executed ad campaign copy and graphics concepts. Supervised the production of several telco telops. ●​ Clients include The Dawood Foundation, UNDP, UNICEF/Lapis, UNEP, SFCG, USAID, FACE, Careem, CWSA, Huawei Pakistan, Karandaaz, Attock Petroleum Limited, The First Microfinance Bank Ltd., Teach for Pakistan Sep. 2014 to Aug. 2015: Lane12 as Senior Communication Artist (Creative Department) Responsible for concept development, supervision of content creation and graphic designs, and editing of blog content. Drafted scripts and storyboards for explainer videos, while contributing blog articles, news stories, and campaign concept and design. Covered corporate events on social media and developed concepts for infographic campaigns. Clients include: ●​ Primary Account: Mobilink Business (Jazz Business) ​ Dec. 2014 to Aug. 2017: Independent Blogger at Daily The Nation Contributed blogs regularly on geopolitics and social issues. (http://nation.com.pk/Blogger/haroon-riaz) Feb. 2014 to Aug 2014: Xdynamix Media Communications as Creative Manager Drafted scripts for a short documentary film, animation videos, supplement articles, brochure content, advertisements and creative promos for several clients, created ad campaigns and graphic concepts. Covered events, produced social media content, and executed ad campaign copy and graphics concepts. ●​ Clients include AQS, CDA, and CWSA Jun. 2012 – Feb. 2016: Xdynamix Media Communications as Freelance Copywriter and Script Writer Drafted scripts for animation videos, advertisements, radio spots, creative promo, and ad campaign concepts. ●​ Clients include Telenor Pakistan, Luxury Heritage Suites, AirBlue Aug. 2013 – Sep. 2014: Good in a Room Blog as Screenwriting Research Assistant Built screenwriting research databases and analyzed scripts as a personal research assistant for New Mexico-based screenwriter ​ Ben Taxy. May 2012 to Aug. 2012: BlueMonster as Copywriter Created webinar scripts, ebooks, email and telesales script templates, and sales pages. Jun. 2006 to Feb. 2009: ​ Bank Alfalah Limited, College Road Branch Rawalpindi, as Officer Range - II​ Accounts & Credits Department Responsible for the Financial Reporting of the Branch within the organization and to the State Bank of Pakistan, Budgeting, Budget Review Analysis, Tax Returns & Statements, Payroll, Branch HR Administration, Processing of Credit Lines relating to SME & Consumer Sectors, and Customer Service. PROJECT PORTFOLIO Cheezious PSL Campaign (Midjourney + Runway ML) Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3khgGqMPCU/?igsh=MWhic293NjN6MGQ0ZQ== Indus Blues (2018) (Winner Grand Jury Award Best Documentary Feature – Guam International Film Festival) (Winner Best Documentary – Jaipur International Film Festival) (Official Selection, CPH:DOX 2019) Associate Producer, Screenwriter, Research Assistant, Additional Editor, and Post-Production Supervisor – Director: Jawad Sharif Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbnfUycYhwk Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIgfFQWEOyI The Frozen Giants of the Karakoram” for The Dawood Foundation Explore Nature Series (Winner Best Cinematography - Climate Film Festival Pakistan 2024) Director, Script Writer, and Post-Production Supervisor – Producer: Jawad Sharif, Mohsin Reza Naqvi, Adeel Malik – Executive Producer: Sabrina Dawood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFBig95Oub4 Natari: The Burden of Climate Migration (2021) Director, Screenwriter, and Editor Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3g1ZSgcx_8 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9f3C_ptUMQ UNDP “Strengthening Rule of Law Program: Case Studies on ADR and Community Policing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director, Screenwriter, and Concept Developer https://www.facebook.com/undppakistan/videos/-/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sziqgoT12U0 https://www.facebook.com/undppakistan/videos/-/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei-VdJx5qcU Housing Finance Documentary Project for World Bank Pakistan Co-Director and Screenwriter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ2TrmZlDPA WeAct: Ease of Doing Business for World Bank Pakistan and the Board of Investment Co-Director and Screenwriter https://youtu.be/Yfhzib3YkqQ?si=V7dzSUG54Qt-xj2W UNICEF Every Child in School Movement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Lapis Communications Field Director and Script Writer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LUdTABDMWI Aflatoun/UNEP “Piedar Environment Club” Director and Script Writer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uggXlAr2gv8 Community World Service Asia: “Paving Paths to a Resilient Future” in Sindh Director, Screenwriter, and Concept Developer ​ http://youtube.com/watch?v=gWYnPlnuQZw CWSA Minority Rights: Change Pakistan, Change Society https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Fdsh8BiVY Enpro Saudi Arabia – Corporate Video Director, Script Writer, and Associate Producer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EamXXCgh3I Cheezious Digital Campaigns (November 2023 - August 2025) Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/cheeziouspakistan/ Mobilink Bank Corporate Film Creative Director and Screenwriter https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mobilink-microfinance-bank-ltd_mobilinkbank-activity--rZ8q Telenor Open Mind Program Corporate Film Director and Screenwriter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Rihrcylfc Mobilink Bank Dost Mobile App DVC Creative Director https://www.facebook.com/MobilinkMicrofinanceBankLimited/videos/-/ Mobilink Bank Business Plus Current Account DVC Creative Director https://www.facebook.com/MobilinkMicrofinanceBankLimited/videos/- The First Microfinance Bank Ltd. - Testimonial Based DVCs Creative Head/Director/Screenwriter First Roshan Zar Sarmaya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDwz9xz5c6Y ​ Karobar Sarmaya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1BIIt-gKHw World Bank Pakistan: Pakistan@100 Project Social Media Campaign Videography (2019) Associate Producer – Producer: Wajahat Malik / Executive Producer: Neha Ravail Khalique Playlist: https://www.facebook.com/watch/-/- Jazz Rising Stars TVC Preproduction Assistant to Director Jawad Sharif https://vimeo.com/- China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Official Documentary for the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform Creative Head, Screenwriter, Associate Producer – Director: Adeel Malik https://youtu.be/CTbengcmWrs Annual Technical Conference 2018: Fueling a New Tomorrow (Oil and Gas Sector Event for PAPG & SPE) Director, Associate Producer, and Script Writer of Official Event Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcn6XE8i26I Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited: Digital Campaign ​ “Celebrating Freedom, Celebrating Innovation” Creative Director https://www.linkedin.com/company/saudipak/posts/?feedView=images “Ab Badle Gi Taqdeer”: CWSA Dramatic Animation on Child Marriage Awareness (Under Production) Director and Screenplay Writer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg3eGP1dppI AKI Sahep Foundation for Women Workers and Children in Sialkot, Punjab Director, Screenwriter, and Associate Producer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLL3R2wR_i0 Cheezious Pakistan Calendar Creative Direction 2024 Creative Director https://www.instagram.com/cheeziouspakistan/ The Colors of Smog (Short Documentary film) Concept Writer, Researcher – Director/Producer: Jawad Sharif Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhHF94nfqcA Trailer: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd37pmGFFPg Jalavaan: The Gold Prospectors of the Karakoram ​ (Winner at South Arts and Film Academy Festival and IndieFest Film Festival) Associate Producer (Shared Credits) – Director/Executive Producer: Wajahat Malik Trailer: https://youtu.be/bNyh6d6GR4k (Raw, Unreleased cut as Editor) Minahil (Short Film) Associate Producer – Director/Executive Producer: Wajahat Malik Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ovOBTwO2Jo (Raw, Unreleased cut) Careem: Shoaib Akhtar Ki Kahaani Associate Producer, Concept Development Collaborator, and Script – Director: Jawad Sharif ​ https://www.facebook.com/careempakistan/videos/-/ ​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhTyzBrAGqE Careem: Noorena Shams – The Story of a Squash Player Associate Producer, Concept Development Collaborator, and Script – Director: Jawad Sharif https://www.facebook.com/careempakistan/videos/-/ Careem: Ambulance Service Launch ​ Concept Development Collaborator, and Script – Director: Jawad Sharif https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chdtFoBr74U Teach for Pakistan: Creative Campaigns https://www.behance.net/gallery/-/Creative-Campaigns-for-Teach-for-Pakistan Transworld Home: Creative Campaign Pitch https://www.behance.net/gallery/-/Transworld-Home-Ad-Creative FAFEN/TDEA: Creative Campaigns https://www.behance.net/gallery/-/IDVote-Registration-Campaign-for-TDEAFAFEN SukhChayn: Creative Campaigns https://www.behance.net/gallery/-/Sukh-Chayn-Ad-Creatives SereneAir: Creative Campaign Pitch https://www.behance.net/gallery/-/Serene-Ad-Creative-Pitch SPACE Luxury Suites: Branding https://www.behance.net/gallery/-/Space-Luxury-Suites-Branding Expedition Indus (2022) (Adventure Campaign and Expedition) Associate Producer – Director/Creator: Wajahat Malik Promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FEWaj7VhXU Rickshaw Diary with Wajahat Malik (2019) (PTV Home Travel Show) Associate Producer – Director/Creator: Wajahat Malik Promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FEWaj7VhXU Untitled Documentary Project for Snow Leopard Foundation (Post-Production) Co-Director and Screenwriter Untitled Documentary Project on the Kalasha Culture (Post-Production) Director and Screenwriter 377: Claim Your Identity (A Short Documentary Film on Transgender Survivors of Violence - Under Development) Co-Producer and co-Editor – Director: Jawad Sharif Careem: Donate to Fill a Plate Concept Development Collaborator, Associate Producer, and Script – Director: Jawad Sharif https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLn5A6prLpU The First Microfinance Bank Ltd. Sona Chandi Aap Ke Sheher Mein – Micropensioner Loan Director and Concept Developer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIxn2ae725o Huawei in Pakistan Director and Scriptwriter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYrUzYD7cI Mobilink (Jazz): Mumkin Kar Dikhaya Corporate Anthem Video Associate Producer and Line Manager https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_5zvQ52BnM Kohistan Builders: Official Documentary Associate Producer and Creative Manager https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2As5AXERtJ8 DRI Electoral Campaign Animation Videos about Electronic Voting Machines and Biometric Verification System (Explainer Animations) Creative Director, Script Writer, and Concept Developer https://youtu.be/NRM6jlrQ9LY Search for Common Ground’s Karachi Peace Diaries (Unreleased) Director, Script Writer, Editor, and Concept Developer Explainer Videos as Screenwriter and Producer Publiq - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srs-fLG41cI ArchvTech - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ssVg9fBiw Tune.pk - https://vimeo.com/- VOLUNTEERING May 2013 to Sep 2013 Bytes for All (B4A), Pakistan Prepared Net Freedom Report for 2013 and contributed to pakvotes.pk Causes of Interest: Freedom of Expression, Secularism, Animal Rights, Liberal Education, Democracy, EDUCATION 2005​ MBA (Marketing, Finance) International Islamic University Islamabad 2003​ B. Sc. (Physics, Mathematics) Punjab University OTHER INFORMATION Father's Name Riaz Ahmed Budhal Date of Birth July 17 Marital Status Single REFERENCES ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​ Mohsin Reza Naqvi - CEO Xdynamix --- - Yasir Farooq – Account Director, Fishbowl --- - Shahrukh Ali Mirza - Head of Comms, British Council --- - Aiman Saleem – ECD Adcom Islamabad –-- - LANGUAGES English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi​ ​ ​ ​