Cargo Film & Releasing announced today the U.S. theatrical release of THE GYMNASTS OF FISHERMAN COLONY, the acclaimed new documentary from three-time Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Habiba Nosheen.
The North American theatrical run will open on Oct 23 at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema in New York City and will screen in more than 20 cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, Santa Fe, Toronto and other markets.
THE GYMNASTS OF FISHERMAN COLONY is an intimate coming-of-age story of three inspiring teenage girls in Pakistan whose discovery of gymnastics opens an unexpected new world of friendship, competition and possibility.
As Kiran, Anwara and Sonia train toward their dream of competing at Pakistan’s national championships, their growing passion begins to collide with expectations about what girls can and cannot do. Moving between the exhilaration of the gym and the pressures of everyday life, the film captures three teenagers beginning to imagine their futures on their own terms.
“This film has always been about allowing audiences to experience the world through the girls’ eyes,” states director Nosheen. “We watch Kiran, Anwara and Sonia discover something they love, become fiercely ambitious about it and begin making space for themselves through gymnastics. The result is a deeply human portrait of girlhood from a part of Pakistan we rarely get to see this way on screen. I am thrilled that audiences across North America will now have the opportunity to meet these girls on the big screen.”
“I could not be more proud to support this beautiful film and the incredible young athletes at the heart of it,” says Malala Yousafzai. “‘The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony’ perfectly illustrates the power of sports to change how girls see themselves and how the world sees young women.”
“When we first learned about these young girls and their lives from director Habiba Nosheen, my producing partner, Trish Adlesic, and I knew we wanted to help ensure that their story would reach audiences around the world,” says executive producer and Mighty Entertainment’s President and Founder Mariska Hargitay. “This film is a perfect example of the kind of stories we want to champion and support at Mighty. We are honored to partner with Habiba and inspired by her talent as a filmmaker.
THE GYMNASTS OF FISHERMAN COLONY had its world premiere in the Documentary Competition at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, where its three screenings sold out and the film finished among the top three documentaries in the festival’s Audience Award voting. The film has since continued its international festival run, including screenings at DMZ International Documentary Film Festival / Calgary International Film Festival / Chicago South Asian Film Festival / Zurich Film Festival among others.
“I am so proud that the film offers a unique portrait of Pakistani girlhood rarely seen on screen, along with a universal story about friendship, ambition and the freedom to play,” adds director Nosheen. “It is lyrical, playful and deeply intimate. I am forever grateful to these girls for allowing us to be in their lives and tell their stories.”
THE GYMNASTS OF FISHERMAN COLONY is directed by Habiba Nosheen and produced by Amar Lohana and Nosheen. Executive producers include Malala Yousafzai, Mariska Hargitay, Trish Adlesic, Shizuka Asakawa, Lauran Bromley, Michelle McCree, Ashley McDermott, Robin Smith, Shelley Saywell, Elaisha Stokes, Anna Maria Tremonti, and Jenni Wolfson. Co-Executive Producers are Ricardo Acosta and Bina Shukla. The editor is Lawence Jackman; with cinematography by Tess Girard, Nadir Siddiqui, Muhammad Asif Faraz; and original music from Kalaisan Kalaichelvan.
The U.S. Theatrical Distributor is Cargo Film & Releasing, and the Canadian Distributor is Blue Ice Docs. The film is an Akelo Media Production produced with the participation of Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada, in association with CBC, Chicken and Egg Films and Mighty Entertainment.
Watch the NEW trailer for THE GYMNASTS OF FISHERMAN COLONY here: https://youtu.be/ZT5LB-BvitQ
