The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has invited distinguished members of the global film community to join the organization under various categories and our very own Pakistani filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi is amongst them.
Recognizing his talent and vision, international acclaim and numerous awards in documentary and filmmaking, Naqvi has been invited to become a member of the Oscars under the category of Documentaries. It is indeed a moment of tremendous pride for Pakistan.
Mohammed Ali Naqvi is already a member of the Television Academy (Emmys) and IDA (International Documentary Association).
Overall 397 members have been invited in various categories. These member will henceforth be able to vote for the Oscar nominations and winners. Mohammed Ali Naqvi shares this honour with newly-minted Oscar winners Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell (music branch) and Kajol, Ariana De Bose and Troy Kotsar (actors); Paramount chief Brian Robbins and Disney general entertainment chief Dana Walden (executives); and film critic Leonard Maltin (members-at-large). Full list is available here.
Mohammed Ali Naqvi, is a well-known name internationally, and has won many accolades for his ground-breaking work. He is a Pakistani-American filmmaker whose films explore themes of human rights, social justice, politics, and identity in contemporary Muslim and South Asian narratives. His work is renowned for its stark presentation of dire poverty, clear-sighted examination of injustice, and probing analysis of political Islam. The recipient of two Amnesty International Human Rights Awards and a Grand Prix from the United Nations Association Festival, Naqvi served as Co-Executive Producer of the Netflix Original Top 10 docuseries Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror. He received the inaugural Television Academy™️ Honor for directing and producing Showtime Original Shame, which documents Mukhtaran Mai’s path from a survivor of gruesome violence to a women’s rights activist.
Naqvi seeks narrative projects that emphasize multicultural perspectives in diverse stories and genres. He produced road-trip drama Big River and indie comedy I Will Avenge You Iago, starring Giancarlo Esposito and Larry Pine. Naqvi enjoys spending time with animals, an interest stemming from his childhood when he had two lions as companions.
It is heartening to see that our talent is receiving global recognition and is sharing the stage with the big names of the world. The stage is set and the spotlight has started shining on our film industry; it is now for us to make the most of this opportunity and create an enabling environment for our stars to shine internationally.
