Oscars: Pakistan Selects Documentary ‘Hanging by a Wire’ for International Feature Race (EXCLUSIVE)

Pakistan has officially selected Mohammed Ali Naqvi's gripping documentary thriller, "Hanging by a Wire," as its contender for the International Feature Film category at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards. This momentous decision by the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee marks a significant turning point, as it is the very first time a documentary film has been chosen to represent Pakistan in this prestigious Oscar category. The committee lauded the selection as a historic milestone for Pakistani documentary cinema, signaling a growing appreciation for the genre's capacity to address pressing social issues on a global platform.

"Hanging by a Wire" plunges viewers into the stark realities faced by communities grappling with the pervasive issue of illegal electricity connections. The film meticulously documents the perilous existence of individuals and families who depend on these illicit power sources due to a lack of access to legal and safe electricity. Director Mohammed Ali Naqvi, an acclaimed filmmaker known for his dedication to exploring human rights and social justice themes, captures the daily struggles, inherent dangers, and the sheer resilience of people striving to secure fundamental necessities in underserved regions. The documentary aims to illuminate the profound socio-economic disparities that drive such desperate measures and to amplify the voices of those often overlooked.

The International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards, previously known as Best Foreign Language Film, is a highly competitive arena designed to celebrate cinematic achievements from around the world. To be eligible, films must originate from outside the United States and feature a predominantly non-English dialogue track. The eligibility window for films submitted to the 99th Academy Awards spans releases between October 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. Each participating country designates a national selection committee responsible for choosing a single film to put forward to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for consideration. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is slated to take place in March 2027, with the highly anticipated nominations to be unveiled in January 2027. "Hanging by a Wire" will now embark on the rigorous Academy review process, vying for a nomination against a diverse array of international cinematic works.