Pakistani filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi has gotten yet another Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Historical Documentary category this year. He was nominated for his role as executive producer on Netflix’s critically acclaimed docuseries Turning Point: The Bomb and The Cold War. Moreover, this year marks his fourth Emmy nomination, solidifying his position as a leading voice in global documentary filmmaking.
Turning Point in Naqvi’s Career
Directed by Brian Knappenberger, Turning Point is a nine-part series that delves into the origins and enduring impact of the Cold War, exploring how the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons have shaped modern geopolitical tensions. The series features over 100 interviews conducted in seven countries, including conversations with prominent figures such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and former CIA Director Robert Gates. Upon its release, the series quickly ascended to the third spot on Netflix’s Original Series chart, amassing over 621 million minutes streamed in its first few weeks.
Other Notable Emmy Nominations & Awards
Naqvi’s previous work includes the Emmy-nominated The Accused: Damned or Devoted?, which earned him the distinction of being the first Pakistani nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2023. Additionally, he received the Television Academy Honor in 2008 for his Showtime film Shame, which chronicles the story of Mukhtaran Mai, a Pakistani woman who became a human rights activist after surviving gang rape.
Beside Emmy Nominations
Beyond his filmmaking achievements, Naqvi is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee. He is also a co-founder of the Crescent Collective, which launched Pakistan’s official presence at the Cannes Film Festival in partnership with Global Lens Day and the American Pavilion. In recognition of his contributions to documentary filmmaking, Naqvi was named a 2025 Concordia Fellow by Concordia Studio, the Oscar-winning production company founded by Davis Guggenheim.
Reflecting on his latest nomination, Naqvi expressed, “It’s an incredible honor to be nominated again. To tell stories that travel across borders on the global stage is a privilege I don’t take lightly.” His work continues to inspire emerging filmmakers, particularly from Pakistan, to share their stories with the world.
As the Emmy Awards approach, Naqvi’s Emmy nomination serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging cultural divides and highlighting the shared human experiences that shape our world.
