Malala Backed Film Steals Spotlight at Tribeca Festival
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan’s film industry has achieved a major international breakthrough as two compelling documentaries have been selected for screening at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival 2026, bringing powerful Pakistani stories to a global audience.
The selection marks a significant moment for Pakistan’s independent cinema, highlighting its growing creative strength and ability to tell deeply human stories with international appeal.
One of the featured films, ‘Hanging by a Wire’, directed by Mohammad Ali Naqvi, revisits the dramatic 2023 Batagram chairlift tragedy that captured worldwide attention.
The documentary chronicles the high-stakes rescue operation in which eight people, including schoolchildren, remained trapped hundreds of feet above the ground for hours after a cable snapped. Through a gripping yet realistic narrative, the film sheds light on the courage of rescuers and the infrastructure challenges faced by remote communities across Pakistan.
The second documentary, ‘The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony’, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Habiba Nosheen, tells the inspiring story of young girls from Karachi’s Machhar Colony who pursue their dreams in gymnastics despite poverty, social barriers and limited opportunities.
Adding international prominence to the project, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai serves as executive producer. Her involvement has amplified global interest in the film’s message of resilience, empowerment and hope.
The recognition of both documentaries at Tribeca underscores the rising influence of Pakistani filmmakers on the international stage and reflects a growing appetite for authentic stories emerging from the country.
As audiences from around the world prepare to watch these films, Pakistan’s documentary filmmakers are proving that local stories can resonate far beyond national borders and compete on some of cinema’s biggest platforms.
