Jawad Sharif
Filmmaker
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.
Indus Blues (2018)
Pakistani folk artists talk about their struggle to keep a fading art form alive while reminding the world what they are about to lose.
Role: Producer/Director
K-2 & The Invisible Footmen (2015)
This award winning film documents the unsung efforts of the indigenous porters who have long facilitated the ascent of K2, Earth’s second-highest mountain.
Role: Cinematographer/Editor
Nabz- The Lifeline (2012)
How does life go on after a loved one is taken away due to bomb blasts? How does the family find strength to move on? Can they ever truly move on?
Role: Director
I was not Alone – A Pakistani Activists Journey on Change (2014)
Forming the AASHA Movement, Fauzia Saeed’s and hundreds of others challenged a nation’s behavior towards working women. The Movement led the whole country to stand together against sexual harassment at the workplace, resulting in passage of landmark legislation for the protection of women’s rights.
Role: Director/Cinematographer
Beyond The Heights (2014)
Beyond the Heights is a documentary film that tells the story of the first Pakistani & the youngest female mountaineer to climb the Mount Everest. Overcoming the towers of hardships, a fragile woman from Shimshal, a small village in Hunza valley, touched new horizons with her will power and motivation.
Role: Director/Cinematographer/Screenplay
NanhayHathoun Mein QalamHo (Education for every child) (2015)
A symbolic music video about education in backdrop of Peshawar Army Public School incident 16/12.
Role: Director
MalalaYousafzai (2011)
When Swat was covered with the darkness of clouds of terrorism, MalalaYousafzai then a student of class 8 stood up against these terrorists to bring peace in the region. MalalaYousafzai’s vision towards life changed drastically during the three years of war of terrorism and counter insurgency.
Role: Director/Cinematographer
DHAMAK OST (Music Video)
Concept/Director
Other Projects
- Agli Rut Ki Dastak – 5 Documentaries (Series Based on motivational Stories)
Concept/Director/Editor - Drama Serial Al-Atash (30 Episodes)
Director/Editor - HarLamhaZindagi (Channel IDs Campaign of Lights Asia TV)
Concept/Director/Editor - Mei Safar Mei Hun (Documentary Film on 100 Years of Women’s Movement)
Director/Editor - International Women Day (Public Service Ads Campaign of AuratFoundation )
Concept/Director/Editor - Journey Of Hope (Documentary on Successful Stories by Care International )
Director/Editor - Child Labor PSA’s (Advertising Campaign of FCBP)
Director/Editor - US Paar – Voice Of America (5 Documentaries based on successful stories)
Director/D.O.P/ Editor - Flood of Misery (Short Experimental Factual Film)
Director/Editor - Hassan Kozagar (Experimental Film, A poem by Noon-Meem Rashid)
Director/Producer/Editor - Yaarian (Short Tele-Film)
Director/Screenwriter - Wrong Number (Short Film)
Director/Screenwriter - MuzahmatiAdab (PTV, Documentary)
Assistant Producer/Editor - Minority Girl (Documentary, A story about a Christian Girl)
Producer/Editor
