Pakistan’s film industry has earned a significant international milestone at the Tribeca Film Festival 2026, where two powerful documentaries have been selected for screening.
The inclusion of these films highlights the growing strength of Pakistan’s independent filmmaking scene and showcases compelling local stories that resonate with global audiences.
Through authentic storytelling and unique perspectives, both documentaries are helping present a fresh and inspiring image of Pakistan on the world stage.
The first documentary, ‘Hanging by a Wire’, directed by Mohammad Ali Naqvi, revisits the dramatic 2023 chairlift incident in Batagram.
The film chronicles the tense rescue operation in which eight people, including schoolchildren, remained suspended hundreds of feet above the ground for several hours after a cable malfunction.
Rather than dramatizing the event, the documentary adopts a realistic, observational approach, highlighting both the challenges faced by rescue teams and the infrastructure issues affecting remote communities.
The second documentary, ‘The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony’, is directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Habiba Nosheen.
The 92-minute film follows the inspiring journey of young girls from Karachi’s Machhar Colony who pursue gymnastics despite facing significant social and economic challenges.
Adding to the project’s global significance, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai serves as an executive producer. Her involvement has brought additional international attention to the story
and its message of resilience, empowerment and determination.