La Jolla, United States: The short film from Pakistan, Screen Locked, written, directed and co-produced by Khalid Hasan Khan with Alyy Khan, has been honoured with the prestigious Award of Merit in Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising at the Best Shorts Competition, 2026, an internationally recognized awards platform based in La Jolla, California, United States, now celebrating 15 years of excellence in global short-form storytelling.

This 30-minute psychological techno-thriller stars Alyy Khan in a compelling role as a psychiatrist navigating the psychological consequences of excessive screen dependency. Alongside him, Atabik Mohsin delivers a performance that reflects the growing disconnect between human relationships and digital immersion. The film explores the growing mental health crisis associated with excessive screen time, presenting a tense and introspective narrative that contrasts digital immersion with the need for authentic human connection.

Established in 2011, the Best Shorts Competition is a respected global awards program that celebrates excellence in short films, documentaries, animation, and new media. Unlike traditional film festivals, it operates as a merit-based competition, recognizing outstanding work from filmmakers worldwide. Over the years, many of its award recipients have gone on to earn major industry honours, including the Academy Awards (Oscars), Emmy Awards, and Telly Awards, reinforcing its standing as a credible benchmark for quality storytelling. The competition’s mission is to spotlight exceptional creative talent, honouring directors, producers, actors, and production teams whose work demonstrates high artistic and technical achievement, while providing a global platform for both established professionals and emerging filmmakers.

Screen Locked has been recognized for its minimalist yet powerful storytelling and its timely relevance in today’s hyper-connected world. It serves as a cautionary reflection on digital dependency, urging audiences to disconnect from devices and reconnect with reality.

About the Film:

Screen Locked represents an emphatic and relevant voice in the independent cinema landscape, engaging directly with one of the defining issues of the 21st century. Its recognition at the Best Shorts Competition, 2026 marks a significant international milestone, positioning the film within a global conversation on digital well-being and human psychology.

About the Filmmaker:

Khalid Hasan Khan is an award-winning filmmaker specializing in social-issue-driven stories across genres from psycho-thrillers to documentaries. As of late 2025, he has won 27 international awards for his work, recognized globally for its emotional depth and originality. He is a graduate of the New York Film Academy, Los Angeles, where he completed a Producing program, gaining hands-on training across all aspects of filmmaking. Khan’s films have screened in over 100 festivals worldwide, roughly across 20 countries, such as Australia, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He maintains a strong presence on the global film circuit