Moklani Makes History: First-Ever Pakistani Film to Win at Jackson Wild
Islamabad – October 2025 — Moklani – The Last Mohanas has made history as the first-ever Pakistani film to win an award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards, widely regarded as the nature equivalent to the Oscars®.
Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Jawad Sharif, Moklani was chosen from a record-breaking pool of more than 500 entries. Over 200 international judges screened more than 1,000 hours of media before selecting the film as Winner in the Global Voices Category.
The film tells the story of the Mohana of Manchar Lake, an indigenous fisher folk community whose centuries-old way of life is disappearing. Mohanas face shrinking waters, toxic pollution, and the erosion of their unique cultural heritage.
Produced by Jawad Sharif Films with the support of the National Geographic Society and Climate Kahani, Moklani is both a visually striking and deeply human portrait of a community on the brink of cultural extinction. Their struggle reflects the larger climate crisis Pakistan is experiencing.
“Moklani gives voice to a community the world is in danger of forgetting. Their story reflects the urgent realities of climate change, cultural loss, and the need to preserve both humanity and nature. To see their story recognized on a global stage is deeply humbling. This recognition, above all, belongs to the Mohana community,”
said filmmaker Jawad Sharif.
Winners were announced during the Awards Gala on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 at the Center for the Arts in Jackson, Wyoming.
About Jackson Wild Media Awards
The Jackson Wild Media Awards are considered the highest standard of achievement in natural history filmmaking. They honor excellence and innovation in nature, science, and conservation storytelling.
About Jawad Sharif Films
Jawad Sharif Films, based in Islamabad, Pakistan, is an award-winning production house recognized for documentaries on culture, social justice, and climate change. Over the past 15 years, films such as Indus Blues, Natari, and K2 and the Invisible Footmen have screened at leading festivals worldwide, celebrated for their artistic vision and social impact.
The Moklani Team
Director & Producer: Jawad Sharif
Producer: Syeda Kashmala
Associate Producer & Content Manager: Sunila Khan
Editing: Jawad Sharif
Editor & Color Grading: Mushtaq Mushi
Cinematographer: Asif Ali
Researcher & Translator: Dr. Maria Jawed Badvi
Music Composed by: Saif Samejo & Schumaila Rehmat Hussain
Sound Design: Kev Bass
Sound Supervisor: Syed Haitam Amjad Banoori
Production Manager: Fayyaz Ahmed Khan
VFX: Raja Ramish Uzair
Additional Cinematography: Jawad Sharif, Mushtaq Mushi, Syeda Kashmala, Zain Idrees
