LONDON: The extraordinary true story of Pakistan’s 2023 cable car rescue, which captivated millions around the world, is set to reach UK audiences as acclaimed documentary distributor Dogwoof has announced the theatrical release of Hanging by a Wire on 28 August 2026. The documentary is directed by award-winning Pakistani filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi and produced by Mindhouse and 64th Street Media, alongside EverWonder Studio and Universal Pictures Content Group.
The 77-minute documentary chronicles the dramatic rescue operation in Pakistan’s remote Himalayan foothills after a makeshift cable car carrying eight passengers—including six schoolboys—was left dangling hundreds of feet above a ravine when its main cable snapped. Through first-hand accounts and exclusive footage, the film captures the race against time by local volunteers and rescuers whose determination and bravery turned a potential tragedy into one of Pakistan’s most remarkable rescue missions.
Hanging by a Wire had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it opened to sold-out screenings and competed in the World Cinema Documentary Competition for the Grand Jury Prize. The film will now receive a nationwide theatrical release across the United Kingdom on Friday, 28 August 2026.
Director and producer Mohammed Ali Naqvi described the documentary as a tribute to “ordinary people who became extraordinary when it mattered most,” expressing his excitement that audiences will experience the real-life survival story in cinemas. Dogwoof Chief Content Officer Oli Harbottle said the company is proud to bring the powerful story of courage, resilience and remarkable heroism to UK audiences
Produced in English, Urdu and Pashto, Hanging by a Wire highlights the resilience, unity and courage of a remote Pakistani community whose collective efforts inspired people across the globe. The film will be released in UK cinemas by Dogwoof, while its North American theatrical release has been acquired by AB2 Media Group and Abramorama ahead of a planned streaming debut later in 2026.
