Jawad Sharif is an award-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer from Pakistan, whose films have become a voice for the unheard. For more than 15 years, Jawad has dedicated himself to exploring themes of social change, human rights, climate justice, and cultural revival through visual storytelling.
From the struggles of folk musicians and high-altitude porters to the resilience of climate migrants and marginalized communities, his films go beyond entertainment—they create impact.
His acclaimed works include:
- K2 and the Invisible Footmen (2015)
- Beyond the Heights (2013)
- Indus Blues (2019)
- Natari (2021)
- The Color of Smog (2022)
- The Losing Side (2023)
His recent film The Losing Side won Best Human Rights Film at the Cannes World Film Festival, while Indus Blues has received global recognition, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Guam International Film Festival and the Gold Award at Spotlight Doc Awards.
International Awards & Recognitions:
Jawad’s films have been celebrated in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa, earning dozens of awards and official selections, including:
- Best Human Rights Film – Cannes World Film Festival
- Grand Jury Prize – Guam International Film Festival, USA
- Gold Award – Spotlight Documentary Film Awards, USA
- Best Documentary Feature & Best Cinematography Award – Jaipur International Film Festival, India
- Official Selection – CPH:DOX Film Festival, Denmark
- Official Selection – DOCfeed, Netherlands
- Official Selection – Mediterranean Film Festival, Cannes
- Winner Best Documentary Feature – South Film & Arts Academy Festival, Chile
- Winner Best Documentary Feature – Top Indie Film Awards, USA
- Audience Award – Pakistan International Mountain Film Festival
- Jury Prize – Torelló Mountain Film Festival, Spain
- Best Film – Rio Mountain Festival, Brazil
- Best Documentary – Salento International Film Festival, Italy
- Slovenian National Television Award for Best Film – Slovenia
- Best Film, Alps Competition – Valssusa Film Festival, Italy
- Best Documentary, Women Filmmaker Section – Dhaka International Film Festival, Bangladesh
- Best International Mid-Length Film & Audience Award – Pukañawi Festival, Bolivia
- Best Full-Length Film – Ushuaia Mountain Film Festival, Argentina
- Italian Touring Club Prize – Milano Mountain Film Festival, Italy
- Best Film Award – Development – We the Peoples Film Festival, UK
- Best International Film – Pakistan Calling Film Festival, Karachi
- Best Mountain Film – Ukerdi Mountain Film Festival, Spain
- Best Feature-Length Documentary – Festival Internacional de Cine del Cono Sur, Chile
- 1st Place, Climbing & Mountaineering Film – International Festival of Outdoor Films, Czech Republic
- Audience Award – SiciliAmbiente Documentary Film Festival, Italy
- Best Documentary – Logcinema Rosario International Film Festival, Mexico
- Special Participation Prize – Bushman Film Festival, Ivory Coast
And many more official selections worldwide.
Beyond Filmmaking:
Jawad is also the Founder of Climate Kahani, an initiative that uses films to address climate-driven conflicts, and Cinema for Change, a non-profit empowering storytellers to inspire action. He serves as the Festival Director of the Asia Peace Film Festival, a jury member of the Jaipur Library Academy Awards, and an advisory board member of Forum for Dignity Initiatives, which protects the rights of sexual and gender minorities in Pakistan.
Recognized as a TED Fellow (2022), UCLA Scholar, and recipient of the PSL “Our Heroes Award”, Jawad’s journey reflects how powerful stories can break silence and create change.
“Stories have the power to create change. When voices are silenced, films can make them heard.” – Jawad Sharif
