In this episode, we host Pakistani filmmaker Jawad Sharif to discuss his most recent film, Moklani. Winner of the 2025 Jackson Wild Global Voices prize, the documentary follows the lives of the Mohanas, an Indigenous community that has lived off of Manchar Lake in Sindh, Pakistan for generations. Through the swiftly changing lives of the Mohanas, Sharif explores the deep sense of loss that comes with the ecological destruction of Manchar Lake. This week’s show is hosted by Misha Choudhry and David Lloyd.
Jawad Sharif is an award-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer based in Pakistan. Exploring the themes of social change and human rights, his projects focus on reviving the suppressed cultural and indigenous identities of Pakistan. In the past 15 years, Jawad has pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling by documenting stories about the rights of folk musicians, high-altitude porters, climate migrants, and marginalized communities. Some of his films include The Losing Side, The Color of Smog, Natari, and Indus Blues. You can find more information about him and his work at: https://jawadshariffilms.com/
