Key Takeaways
- Pakistani cinema excels at MISAFF 2026, winning multiple awards.
- Sarmad Khoosat’s 'Lali' garners Special Jury Prize and Best Sound Design.
- Documentary 'Hanging by a Wire' wins Sabeen Mahmud Award for Courage in Cinema.
Three Pakistani films have secured major accolades at the Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) 2026 in Canada, highlighting the country’s growing prominence in the global film industry.
Sarmad Khoosat’s 'Lali' emerged as a standout, winning the Special Jury Prize and the Best Sound Design Award. The film, which premiered at the Berlinale earlier this year, opened the festival and is set in Sahiwal, following the life of Zeba, a young woman whose marriage is marred by jealousy and suspicion.
Farazeh Syed, who played a supporting role in 'Lali,' was also honored, being named the Best Supporting Actress. The film blends Punjabi folklore, supernatural elements, and family tensions, featuring a cast that includes Mamya Shajaffar, Channan Hanif, Farazeh Syed, Rasti Farooq, and Mehar Bano.
Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s documentary 'Hanging by a Wire' received significant recognition, winning the Sabeen Mahmud Award for Courage in Cinema. The film reconstructs the 2023 Battagram cable car tragedy, where eight people, including six children, were stranded over 900 feet above a river. The documentary focuses on survival, community support, and the rescue efforts.
Pakistan also secured a win in the short-film category, with Kamran Faiq’s 'The Last Glance' named the Best International Short Film. The 13-minute film follows Barkaat, his pregnant wife Bushra, and their young son Ahmad as they flee their village amid violence. Their journey takes an unexpected turn at a remote police checkpoint, where they face a difficult moral choice.
Another Pakistani production, 'The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony,' received an Honorable Mention in the Best Documentary category. The film chronicles the lives of gymnasts from Karachi’s Macchar Colony, showcasing their resilience and dedication.
The 12th edition of MISAFF, which ran from September 30 to October 4, featured 16 feature-length films and 30 short films from Pakistan, Canada, India, Nepal, Iran, and other countries. The festival provided a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and gain international recognition.
The success of these films not only boosts the morale of the local film industry but also enhances Pakistan’s cultural footprint on the global stage. The recognition received at MISAFF 2026 is a testament to the quality and creativity of Pakistani cinema.
