ISLAMABAD: Pakistani filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi has been invited to become a judge of the Oscars in the category of documentaries in recognition of his international acclaim and numerous award winners in documentary and film-making.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has invited distinguished members of the global film community to join the organisation under various categories, and invitation to Mr Naqvi has been termed as a moment of pride for the country, says a press release.

Overall 397 members have been invited in various categories, who will vote for the Oscar nominations and winners.

Mohammed Ali Naqvi is already a member of the Television Academy (Emmys) and IDA (International Documentary Association).

He 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).

Mr Naqvi is a Pakistani-American filmmaker whose films explore themes of human rights, social justice, politics, and identity in contemporary Muslim and South Asian narratives.

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 docu-series Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror.

He received the inaugural Television Academy Honour for directing and producing Showtime Original Shame.

He has an Emmy-nominated Among the Believers documentary and an Asian Media Award winner The Accused: Damned or Devoted?

He is also on the board of Mukhtaran Mai Women’s Welfare Organisation and his film Pakistan’s Hidden Shame, prompted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to open a shelter for homeless children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2022