Obaid-Chinoy who started working as a journalist aged just 14 , before moving into documentary making then turning to Hollywood , told her astonishing story to the packed Oman Exhibition and Conference Centre in Muscat .

She told how as a teenager she had exposed corruption in her home city ’ s local newspaper , when her father came storming home from the mosque .

“ My father came home bellowing ,” she told the congress . “ The men I had written about had spray painted my name and offensive comments . In my culture when someone shames you , you try to silence them .

“ My father came in bellowing and said to me : ‘ If you speak the truth , I will stand with you and so will the world .’ Then he went off and washed the walls with his friends .”

She said she knew then her father would always have her back . When she decided to turn her hand to making

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

documentary films she was determined not to take no for an answer .

“ If a door hasn ’ t opened for you , it ’ s because you haven ’ t kicked it hard enough ,” she said .

Obaid-Chinoy ’ s first

documentary film Girl in the River brought about a change in Pakistan ’ s honour killing law – meaning perpetrators can no longer be pardoned-as well as an Oscar .

She has now two Academy Awards , “ one more than

“ If a door hasn ’ t opened for you , it ’ s because you haven ’ t kicked it hard enough .”

Leonardo Di Caprio ” she gleefully pointed out and created the first ever Marvel film to feature a Muslim girl as its superhero .

Alluding to her upcoming role as the director of the next Star Wars she said “ Whilst I cannot talk about my new project at all , I can say this ; Film has taught me throughout my career , while you amplify your own voice you amplify the voices of so many people , so many cultures and how important that is .

“ Film can change the way we impact law , the way we impact empathy , the way we impact violence , film can change the way we impact the world .

The inspirational opening led the way for eye-opening discussions about evening up the roles of women and younger talent in the exhibitions industry .

Diversified Communications president Mary Larkin said she had used her position as UFI president and positive

54 — December