“Anuja,” a short film directed by Adam J. Graves, has been nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The film tells the poignant story of a nine-year-old girl, Anuja, who works in a garment factory in Delhi, India. She faces a life-changing opportunity to attend school, presenting her with a heart-wrenching choice that will impact her and her sister Palak’s future.
The film has garnered significant support from prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Priyanka Chopra Jonas expressed her pride in the nomination, highlighting the film’s authentic portrayal of love, family, and resilience. She also commended the performances of Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag.
Short on time, big on talent, here are this year’s nominees for Live Action Short Film. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Wx0TZIpUen
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 23, 2025
Guneet Monga Kapoor, another executive producer, emphasized the film’s representation of the Salaam Baalak Trust India, an organization supporting street and working children. She noted that the nomination is a testament to the power of cross-border collaboration in bringing honest stories to life.
“Anuja” has also been recognized at various film festivals, winning the Best Live Action Short Award at the HollyShorts Film Festival and the Audience Award for Short Film at the Montclair Film Festival.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “Anuja” is expected to be available for streaming on Netflix soon.