Pakistan's Oscar Hope Shines Bright: 'Hanging by a Wire' Enters International Feature Race!

Mohammed Ali Naqvi's compelling documentary thriller, "Hanging by a Wire," has achieved a historic milestone for Pakistani cinema, being selected as the country's official submission for the international feature film Oscar at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards. This marks a significant first, as it is the inaugural time a documentary has been chosen to represent Pakistan in this prestigious category, a decision lauded by the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee as a pivotal moment for Pakistani documentary filmmaking.

The film, directed by Naqvi and co-written and produced by Naqvi and Bilal Sami, delves into the harrowing August 2023 cable car emergency that captivated global attention. This terrifying incident occurred in Battagram, a region in northern Pakistan, where eight individuals, including six schoolboys en route to school, found themselves stranded approximately 900 feet above a ravine after a critical cable snapped. The subsequent, dramatic rescue operation was meticulously followed live across Pakistan and internationally, highlighting both the peril and the incredible human spirit.

"Hanging by a Wire" reconstructs this intense event through a powerful combination of authentic footage from witnesses, heartfelt testimonies from survivors, and carefully staged reenactments featuring individuals who actively participated in the perilous rescue efforts. This multi-faceted approach allows the film to build a comprehensive and immersive account of the crisis and its resolution.

The documentary made its global debut at the esteemed 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it was featured in the World Cinema Documentary Competition lineup. Following its Sundance premiere, the film continued its successful festival run, appearing at the Tribeca Festival. The production credits for "Hanging by a Wire" include EverWonder Studio, Universal Pictures Content Group, Mindhouse Productions, and 64th Street Media. Distribution rights for the film are held by Dogwoof for theatrical release in the U.K., while Abramorama is managing the U.S. theatrical release. Audiences will also be able to stream the documentary on Paramount+ starting October 28.

This selection ensures that the compelling story of the Battagram rescue will be brought into the spotlight of the International Feature Film Oscar race as Pakistan's chosen representative for this awards cycle. While Pakistan has submitted a total of 13 films in the category since 1959, it has yet to secure a nomination. The critically acclaimed film "Joyland" by Saim Sadiq marked the country's sole shortlist appearance in 2022, underscoring the significance of "Hanging by a Wire's" unprecedented entry as a documentary.