3 Pakistani Films Win Major Awards at International Film Festival in Canada

Pakistani cinema created a robust impact at the Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) 2026 in Canada, with a number of Pakistani films securing major awards.

Key points

• While Farazeh Syed was named Best Supporting Actress, sarmad Khoosat's Lali led the country's wins, receiving the Special Jury Prize and Best Sound Design Award.
• Mohammed Ali Naqvi's Hanging by a Wire additionally received major recognition, winning the Sabeen Mahmud Award for Courage in Cinema in the Documentary category.
• Pakistan additionally secured a win in the short-film category, with Kamran Faiq's The Last Glance named Best International Short Film.
• Another Pakistani production, The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony, received an Honorable Mention in the Best Documentary category.
• When eight individuals, including six children, were stranded around 900 feet above a river after a cable snapped, the documentary revisits the 2023 Battagram cable car tragedy.

Notably, the film, which debuted at the Berlinale earlier this year, additionally opened MISAFF 2026. Set in Sahiwal, Lali follows Zeba, played by Mamya Shajaffar, a young woman whose marriage is overshadowed by jealousy, suspicion, and rumors of a curse linked to her past. Dates Confirmed for 2026 Nobel Prize Award Ceremony.

Notably, the dark comedy blends Punjabi folklore, supernatural elements, and family tensions. Its cast additionally includes Channan Hanif, Farazeh Syed, Rasti Farooq, and Mehar Bano.

All eight were eventually rescued after a challenging operation that continued throughout the day.

While focusing on survival, community backing, and the rescue efforts, the film reconstructs the incident through eyewitness accounts, footage recorded at the scene, and cinematic recreations.

Hanging by a Wire is additionally Pakistan's entry for this year's Academy Awards. Battagram Chairlift Rescue Documentary Set to Hit Pakistani Cinemas.

Notably, the 13-minute film follows Barkaat, his pregnant wife Bushra, and their young son Ahmad as they flee their village against the backdrop of violence. Their journey takes an unexpected turn at a remote police checkpoint, where they face a tough moral choice.

Another Pakistani production, The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony, received an Honorable Mention in the Best Documentary category. The film follows a group of gymnasts from Karachi's Macchar Colony.

In practice, the 12th edition of MISAFF ran from September 30 to October 4 and featured 16 feature-length films and 30 short films from Pakistan, Canada, India, Nepal, Iran, and other countries. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover.

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