KARACHI: Pakistani cinema made a strong global impression in 2025. Local films gained recognition at major international festivals. The achievements reflected growing confidence at home. They also showed rising respect abroad.
A landmark moment came with Moklani – The Last Mohanas. The documentary was directed by Jawad Sharif. It won the Global Voices Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards in Wyoming. This was a first for Pakistan at the prestigious environmental festival.
The film documents the Mohana community of Manchhar Lake in Sindh. Their boat-based way of life is under threat. Water levels are falling. Pollution is spreading. The story is quiet but powerful. Its environmental message resonated with international judges. The win placed Pakistan firmly in global debates on ecology and cultural loss.
Pakistani fiction films also stood out. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival in China, the psychological horror film Deemak won Best Editing. The award highlighted the film’s technical control and pacing. Horror, often overlooked, received rare international validation.
Directed by Rafay Rashdi, Deemak starred Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada and Faysal Quraishi. The recognition broadened perceptions of Pakistani cinema’s range.
At the same festival, Nayab received the Special Jury Award. Directed by Umair Nasir Ali, the film follows a young woman challenging gender barriers in cricket. Yumna Zaidi’s restrained performance drew praise. The story travelled well beyond Pakistan.
Another success followed in Azerbaijan. Welcome to Punjab, directed by Shehzad Rafique, won the Best Audience Award at the Baku Cinema Breeze Film Festival. The response showed international appetite for Pakistani popular cinema.
Together, these wins signalled a changing moment. Pakistani films are being seen. And they are being taken seriously.
