Pakistan has officially chosen Mohammed Ali Naqvi's documentary thriller, 'Hanging by a Wire,' as its submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. This selection is a landmark achievement, marking the first time a documentary has been put forward by the country for this prestigious award. The film vividly portrays the dramatic August 2023 cable car rescue in Battagram, Northern Pakistan, an event that drew global attention as eight individuals, including six schoolchildren, were left stranded hundreds of feet above a ravine. The narrative is constructed using eyewitness footage, survivor accounts, and re-enactments by those involved in the rescue, offering a compelling and authentic depiction of the incident.
The film's journey began with its debut at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition, followed by a screening at the Tribeca Festival. Produced by EverWonder Studio, Universal Pictures Content Group, Mindhouse Productions, and 64th Street Media, 'Hanging by a Wire' has secured theatrical distribution rights with Dogwoof in the U.K. and Abramorama in the U.S., with a streaming release scheduled for October 28 on Paramount+. This selection not only shines a spotlight on a remarkable human survival story but also elevates Pakistani documentary filmmaking to an international platform, breaking new ground for the nation's presence in the Academy Awards, despite a history of no nominations in this category since 1959.
Pakistan's Historic Oscar Submission
For the first time in its history, Pakistan has chosen a documentary to represent the nation in the Oscar race for Best International Feature Film. This significant decision by the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee highlights the growing recognition and importance of non-fiction storytelling within the country's cinematic landscape. The film at the center of this historic selection is Mohammed Ali Naqvi's 'Hanging by a Wire,' a documentary thriller that captures a recent and profoundly impactful event. This move signals a progressive shift in how Pakistan aims to present its cultural narratives and artistic achievements on the global stage of the Academy Awards, diverging from its traditional focus on fictional works. The committee's choice underscores a belief in the documentary's power to convey compelling stories and make a profound international impact.
The selection of 'Hanging by a Wire' as Pakistan's entry is not merely a procedural step but a statement of cinematic evolution. It challenges previous norms where only fictional features were considered viable contenders for the International Feature Film category. This documentary's submission reflects a broader trend of documentaries gaining critical acclaim and audience engagement worldwide, demonstrating their capacity to compete with narrative films. By choosing a documentary, Pakistan aims to leverage the genre's authenticity and immediate connection to real-world events to resonate with the Academy voters. This bold decision could open new pathways for Pakistani documentaries and elevate their standing in future international film awards, marking a pivotal moment for the country's film industry.
The Gripping Narrative of 'Hanging by a Wire'
'Hanging by a Wire' is a powerful documentary that meticulously reconstructs the terrifying cable car accident in Battagram, Northern Pakistan, which occurred in August 2023. The film plunges viewers into the heart of a crisis where eight passengers, predominantly schoolchildren en route to their daily classes, found themselves suspended precariously almost 900 feet above a steep ravine after a critical cable snapped. The unfolding drama of the rescue operation captivated not only Pakistan but also the international community, becoming a live spectacle of human endurance and heroic efforts. Director Mohammed Ali Naqvi, alongside writer and producer Bilal Sami, masterfully crafts the narrative by integrating diverse sources, including raw footage from witnesses, heartfelt testimonies from the survivors themselves, and carefully staged re-enactments featuring the actual individuals who participated in the high-stakes rescue. This multi-faceted approach ensures a vivid and authentic recounting of the harrowing incident and the collective bravery that followed.
The documentary's approach to storytelling transforms a local tragedy into a universally resonant tale of survival and community resilience. By combining various perspectives, 'Hanging by a Wire' offers a comprehensive and emotionally charged account, allowing the audience to experience the fear, hope, and eventual triumph of the Battagram incident. The film’s critical acclaim began with its premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it was featured in the prestigious World Cinema Documentary Competition, garnering significant attention before moving on to the Tribeca Festival. Its journey from film festivals to an Oscar submission highlights its artistic merit and its capacity to tell a compelling human story that transcends cultural boundaries. The strategic release plan, including theatrical runs in the U.K. and U.S. and a streaming debut on Paramount+, ensures wide accessibility, further cementing its role in bringing this incredible true story to a global audience and reinforcing the power of documentary filmmaking.