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Earlier this month, Hanging by a Wire — directed by Mohammed Ali ‘Mo’ Naqvi — made history as the first documentary ever selected by Pakistan to represent the country in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.

This year, the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee was led by Deputy Chairperson Sana Zahra Jafri.

In addition to being a filmmaker, Jafri is also a writer and a producer. Her short Permanent Guest premiered at TIFF 2025 and won awards in Los Angeles, Montreal and Karachi. She co-produced Saim Sadiq’s Oscar-shortlisted Joyland and co-wrote Yasmeen’s Element, which premiered at SXSW.

This year’s committee was made up of veteran actors Marina Khan and Hina Khawaja Bayat, artist Misha Japanwala, director Nabeel Qureshi, director and producer Shahzad Rafique, producer Badar Ikram along with actor and influencer Tamkenat Mansoor.

Jafri explained to Images why these particular people were chosen for the committee.

“Our priority was to put together a panel that was not only experienced in cinema, but also diverse in terms of age, gender, professional background and creative perspective. We wanted each member to bring a distinct relationship with film and culture, because ultimately the strength of a jury lies in the range of perspectives around the table,” she said.

Jafri added that the Academy’s requirements were also taken into consideration while choosing the pane. She said that “the committee has to be independent, have appropriate representation from film artists and craftspeople, and be free of conflicts of interest”.

It was within this framework that the selection committee sought people with different areas of expertise and experience spanning across different generations, according to Jafri.

“Together, they bring a range of experience across acting, directing, producing, visual art and contemporary cultural engagement,” she added.

But why include an artist and an influencer?

“Mansoor’s work as a social media creator includes social and political commentary and she is very engaged with contemporary social justice issues in Pakistan. We felt that perspective, alongside her experience as an actress, would bring a unique voice to the committee,” Jafri explained.

“Japanwala needs no introduction. She has made a significant mark internationally as a Pakistani artist, with her latest work including sculptural pieces created for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, worn by Lupita Nyong’o. Her contribution to global cinema as a Pakistani artist is noteworthy, and we felt her perspective was an important one to have on the committee,” she added.

Lauding the effort put into the making of Hanging by a Wire, Jafri said: “The blending of archival footage and newly shot material is so seamless that, at times, the distinction between documentary and large-scale cinematic storytelling simply disappears. The result is immersive and remarkably authentic. I found myself at the edge of my seat throughout.

“I felt that the film captures something deeply recognisable about us as Pakistanis. Our resilience, our ability to find ways to survive and persevere, our diversity and our contradictions, and the many different ways in which we navigate institutions, communities and one another. At the heart of it all is the unwavering faith that remains such a common thread in our lives,” she added.

Jafri also extended her gratitude to the members of the selection committee, adding they received a diverse set of stories this year.

“We received an extraordinary range of stories this year. Stories of bravery and resilience, stories that challenge the status quo, and stories that shine a light on experiences and communities that deserve to be seen. To have so many distinctive films in consideration in a single year is truly something to celebrate,” Jafri explained.

“I am deeply grateful to every member of the selection committee for generously giving their time and bringing such thoughtfulness, care and dedication to the process. Each member watched all the submitted films and provided their rankings and comments within the given timeframe. Their commitment to the process and to Pakistani cinema was truly remarkable, and I feel very fortunate to have worked alongside them,” she said.

The selection committee made the official announcement on October 1 at the at the Mosaic International Film Festival in Mississauga, Canada. There, Hanging by a Wire had its Canadian premiere and even won the Sabeen Mahmud Award for Courage in Cinema.

Naqvi, who has served as the chairperson of the selection committee since 2023, stepped down from the role for the 2026 selection cycle in order to submit his own film for consideration.

“I’m honoured that Hanging by a Wire has been selected to represent Pakistan in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, and grateful to the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee. It’s a straight-up disaster film, except it really happened, and you’re watching real footage of it unfolding live,” he said.

“The community on the ground filmed it themselves and trusted me with that footage, so in a real sense they co-authored this film with me. How resilient and resourceful they were, both in the rescue and in documenting it, is what the film is about, and there’s nothing more Pakistani than that,” Naqvi added.