Hun Dan, Pakistan’s first Burushaski-language film and official submission for the 98th Academy Awards, was unable to reach the Oscars due to documentary and administrative shortcomings, preventing the country from fielding any film this year.
The Pakistan Oscar Selection Committee had chosen Hun Dan as the country’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards. Director Karamat Ali stated that he was initially informed via email that Hun Dan had been declared Pakistan’s official submission. Following this, the production team submitted all required documents through the Academy’s official online portal.
However, the team later received an email from the Academy stating that the documentation was incomplete. “We immediately re-submitted all the required paperwork,” Ali said, adding that instead of receiving a confirmation email, they were informed that the documents had not been completed within the stipulated timeframe, rendering the film ineligible as Pakistan’s official submission.
Ali further revealed that the production team received another email from the Academy, incorrectly referring to incomplete documents for a different film, Palestine 36, despite Hun Dan being Pakistan’s selected entry. In response, Pakistan Oscar Selection Committee Chairman Muhammad Ali Naqvi clarified to the Academy that Hun Dan, not Palestine 36, was Pakistan’s official submission.
Mo Naqvi remained in continuous contact with the Academy team and assured full cooperation. The Academy later acknowledged the error, but despite these efforts, the issue surrounding Hun Dan’s nomination could not be resolved. Ali expressed gratitude to Mo Naqvi for his support and assistance throughout the process.
According to Academy Awards rules compiled for 2025, films submitted must have been commercially screened in their home country for at least seven consecutive days between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, and at least 50% of the dialogue must be in a non-English language. The submission deadline this year was October 1, and all required documents for Hun Dan were submitted online before the deadline.
Despite the setback, Ali said he and his team consider the film’s selection as Pakistan’s official entry a success in itself. Hun Dan is based on a folk tale from Hunza and conveys a message of harmony between nature and human life. The film’s historic selection has brought recognition to Pakistan’s cinema and the Burushaski language, highlighting the country’s cultural diversity and artistic potential.
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