'' He Named Me Malala '' is a 2015 American documentary film directed by Davis Guggenheim . The film presents the young Pakistani female activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai , who has spoken out for the rights of girls , especially the right to education , since she was very young . The film also recounts how she miraculously survived and has become even more eloquent in her quest after being hunted down and shot by a Taliban gunman as part of the organization 's violent opposition to girls ' education in the Swat Valley in Pakistan . The title refers to the Afghani folk hero Malalai of Maiwand , after whom her father named her On December 1 , 2015 , '' He Named Me Malala '' was shortlisted with fourteen other documentaries submitted to 88th Academy Awards in Best Documentary Feature category , but failed to gain the nomination . It was nominated at the 43rd Annie Awards in Best Animated Special Production category
88th Academy Awards
88th Academy Awards
He Named Me Malala