Yet again, Pakistanis made their mark at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2025 — and honestly, we love to see it!
Every year, our storytellers, filmmakers, and creative minds quietly make waves at one of the world’s biggest film events, and this year was no different. From documentaries to short films, Pakistani voices stood tall among global cinema giants, reminding the world that we’ve got both the talent and the heart. It wasn’t just about showing up — it was about showing up with work that meant something. These creators brought stories rooted in truth, emotion, and identity, sparking important conversations and winning well-deserved applause. Whether it was official screenings or selected panels, they proved once again that Pakistan is no less when it comes to cinema that moves people.
Let’s dive into who did what and how they made us proud — because this lineup deserves a spotlight!
Muhammad Ali Naqvi’s Hanging By A Wire – Pakistan’s Real-Life Thriller Hit Cannes
Pakistani filmmaker Mohammad Ali Naqvi brought something truly powerful to Cannes Docs Week 2025 with his latest documentary Hanging By a Wire. The film tells the real story of the 2023 rescue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where six children and two adults were stuck in a cable car, hanging 900 feet above the ground. It was a moment the whole country watched with worry and hope, and Naqvi turned it into a film that made everyone feel the same fear, courage, and relief all over again.
Using real footage, honest interviews with the people who were saved, and the brave rescuers who helped them, Naqvi is telling the story in a way that feels very real. It didn’t feel like just watching a film—it felt like living through the rescue. “Every frame is real… and that authenticity makes the stakes soar,” he said, and that truth made the story even more emotional. This film was more than just a documentary; it was a proud moment for Pakistan at Cannes, showing the world that our stories matter and deserve to be seen.
Muhammad Ali Naqvi is one of Pakistan’s most respected documentary filmmakers, known for telling real stories that leave a strong impact. Over the years, he has earned global praise for his work, winning awards like the Grand Jury Prize at the United Nations Association Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at the Miami International Film Festival. His past films like Among the Believers, The Accused: Damned or Devoted?, and Shame have been shown at top festivals and aired on major platforms like PBS and Netflix. Naqvi has a unique way of showing Pakistan’s most complex issues with honesty and heart, always making sure the people behind the stories are heard. With *Hanging By a Wire* now reaching Cannes, he once again proves why he’s a powerful voice in global storytelling.
Saim Sadiq’s Little Men Won The Baumi Script Award.
Saim Sadiq, the talented filmmaker behind the hit movie Joyland, made headlines again by winning the 10th Baumi Script Development Award for his upcoming film Little Men. This award comes with €20,000 to help bring the project to life, but more importantly, it shows that people believe in his work. Edward Berger, an Oscar-winning director and this year’s guest judge, praised Saim by saying, “Saim is an exciting new filmmaker… Baumi would’ve loved this project.” Saim has been to Cannes before with Joyland, so fans are excited to see what he does next.
Little Men tells the story of Nael, a Pakistani immigrant living in New York with his partner, trying to live a calm life. But things get complicated when Nael agrees to a fake marriage with his ex back in Pakistan to help her get out of trouble. The film looks at the emotional struggle of being caught between two people and two very different worlds. It’s a story about love, loyalty, and tough choices — definitely one to watch out for!
Saim Sadiq has carved a unique space for himself in international cinema with stories that are both personal and socially awakening. His film Joyland not only made headlines for being the first Pakistani feature to screen at Cannes, but also won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section, earning global praise and a standing ovation. The film explored gender, family, and desire in a way that felt both honest and groundbreaking, later becoming Pakistan’s official submission to the Oscars. Before that, his short film Darling won Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival, signaling his arrival as a powerful new voice. With his next project Little Men already winning the Baumi Script Development Award, it’s clear that Saim’s storytelling continues to evolve, challenge norms, and move audiences around the world.
Aleem Bukhari’s Karmash Made History As First Pakistani Short At Cannes Directors’ Fortnight
Aleem Bukhari, a self-taught filmmaker, premiered his third short film Karmash at the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight section of Cannes 2025. This is a huge milestone because Karmash is the very first Pakistani short ever selected for this platform. The film, with English and French subtitles, comes straight from the streets of Hyderabad and shows a simple yet powerful story that has caught the world’s attention. It’s a proud moment for Pakistani cinema and gives us all plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Karmash was directed and co-written by Aleem Bukhari and produced by Irfan Noor K under Sleepbyte Films, a group of six friends who handled everything themselves. Irfan Noor K also stars in the film as the great-grandson of Babak Karmash, the last member of a fictional tribe. The story follows him as he recalls old family traditions and drifts through fading memories of his past and a city that’s slowly disappearing. Shot in black and white, the film feels eerie and dreamlike, more like a visual diary than a straightforward story. It explores deep themes like memory, ancestry, and madness, leaving viewers thoughtful and a little unsettled — a unique experience for anyone who watches it.
Aleem Bukhari is a rising voice in Pakistan’s indie film scene, known for his artistic style and DIY spirit. Without any formal training, he has created films that feel raw, emotional, and completely original. Before Karmash, Aleem made two striking short films — Sapola and Anaari Saanp — both of which explored themes of identity, chaos, and memory with a surreal touch. Now, with Karmash making history as the first Pakistani short to be selected for Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, Aleem has firmly marked his place on the global stage.
Pakistanis continue to make us proud, again and again, by showing the world that our stories matter. Whether it’s a powerful documentary, a heart-touching film, or an experimental short, our filmmakers prove that Pakistan’s creative voice is strong, real, and full of heart. These moments at Cannes remind us that we don’t need big budgets or fancy setups to shine — we just need honesty, passion, and talent. Our industry has so much potential because it’s filled with people who love what they do and are ready to work hard for it. With every project, they show the world a side of Pakistan that is full of feeling, depth, and meaning — and that’s something truly special.
Until next time, Cannes — Pakistan will be back!
