Mohammed Ali 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. His work is renowned and celebrated for its stark presentation of dire poverty, its clear-sighted examination of injustice, and its probing analysis of political Islam.

Naqvi is 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 2021 Netflix Original Top 10 docuseries Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror. Filmed during the US withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, Naqvi secured unprecedented access to senior Taliban leaders and former Al-Qaeda members. Turning Point camera crews were the last to have filmed at Bagram Air Base and the last to embed with the Afghan National Army before the country fell once again to the Taliban.

For directing and producing the Showtime Original documentary Shame, Naqvi received the inaugural Television Academy™️ in Honor. The film was an official selection for the American Film Institute’s 20th Anniversary International Showcase and premiered in competition at the Toronto International Film Festival. Shame chronicles the story of Mukhtaran Mai, documenting her path from a survivor of gruesome violence to a women’s rights activist and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.

Naqvi directed the Emmy-nominated film Among the Believers (PBS), a chilling record of ISIS supporter and Taliban ally Cleric Abdul Aziz Ghazi and his quest to indoctrinate children to devote their lives to jihad. The film was celebrated internationally, winning multiple awards, as well as nominations for an Independent Spirit Award and a Cinema Eye Honor. However, the film was banned in Pakistan and Naqvi received death threats.

Insha’Allah Democracy (BBC, STARZ) is Naqvi’s intimate portrait of exiled former Military Dictator General Pervez Musharraf’s run for election while facing charges of treason. In The Accused: Damned Or Devoted?, Naqvi takes an investigative look at Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law. The BBC Films/ Arte- ZDF co-production was dubbed “…one of the best films to have probed the difficult relations between religion, politics and human rights,” (Film Inquiry). It won an Asian Media Award and was a critic’s top pick for The Guardian and The Times.

Arriving in New York just before 9/11, Naqvi founded B.L.A.H Productions, a theatre company performing off-off-Broadway revivals of classic American plays. “Post 9/11, it became obvious to me as a storyteller that I had to turn my focus to stories from my homeland,” says Naqvi. He launched Tight Media, an independent production company, producing programming globally for top broadcasters including HBO, Discovery, MTV, Paramount, CNN, and Al- Jazeera.

As a narrative producer, Naqvi is drawn to projects that emphasize multicultural perspectives in diverse stories and genres. In 2005, Naqvi produced road-trip drama Big River, which screened at the Berlin and Pusan International Film Festivals, and indie comedy I Will Avenge You Iago, starring Giancarlo Esposito and Larry Pine, which incorporated his love of theatre.

Naqvi’s commitment to human rights and the impact of his work extends beyond the screen. He sits on the board of Mukhtar Mai Women’s Organization. Inspired by Naqvi’s film Pakistan’s Hidden Shame, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan opened a shelter and housing complex for homeless children in KPK province.

Naqvi enjoys spending time with animals, an interest stemming from his childhood when he had two lions as companions.