Jawad Sharif is an award-winning filmmaker who has come into prominence for exploring the often-ignored social subjects. His work focuses on the interface between the dominant culture and the real impact on people, society and the environment. He is among the rare filmmakers who are proficient in weaving compelling visuals and narratives in both fiction and non-fiction films.
Jawad is an alumnus of the Swedish Institute and Institut Fur Auslandsbeziehunge, Germany. He was awarded a scholarship at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television in 2016. Jawad is also the Festival Director of Asia Peace Film Festival and jury member of the Jaipur Library Academy Awards, India.
He has worked on a number of socially and culturally sensitive film projects involving the themes of human rights and social injustice besides arts and culture. He has also directed Telefilms, TV series, and several digital campaigns.
Jawad’s first documentary K-2 and The Invisible Footmen as Cinematographer & Editor, has shocked the audiences with its breath-taking filming of sherpas at the hardest mountain in the world. He became the first Pakistani high-altitude filmmaker who filmed at K-2. Four years later, Jawad became the talk of the film world in Pakistan with his film Indus Blues. This documentary has gained a cult following in Pakistan and has garnered significant attention on the international film festivals circuit. The film created waves in both local and international media including BBC, DW, and VOA upon the release of its trailer and initiated the much-needed debate about the radicalization of the society in Pakistan.
Indus Blues has won the Grand Jury Prize for Crystal Award at Guam International Film Festival, United States, Best Documentary Feature Award at South Film and Arts Academy Festival Chile, Best Documentary Feature Award and Best Cinematography Award at Jaipur IFF India, 2019, Winner Gold Award at Spotlight Doc Awards. In addition to that his film has been nominated in several other prestigious international film festivals including CPH:DOX – Denmark, DOKUFEST – Kosovo, DOCfeed – Netherlands, Valle Film Festival – Mexico, Regina International Film Festival – Canada, DOKUARTS – Germany editerranean Film Festival – Cannes, France & many more.
Other than filmmaking, Jawad serves as an advisory board member of a not-for-profit organization “Forum for Dignity Initiatives,” which helps protect the rights of sexual and gender minorities in Pakistan.
Films directed by Jawad Sharif have been screened in more than 100 countries and at more than 200 international film festivals