“Anuja“, a New Delhi-set short film, on Thursday bagged a nomination in the Live Action Short category at the 97th Academy Awards.
The film will compete against Alien, I’m Not a Robot, The Last Ranger, and A Man Who Would Not Remain Silent.
The nominations for the 2025 Oscars, which were twice postponed earlier this month due to wildfires in Los Angeles, were announced by Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott.
“Anuja” follows a gifted nine-year-old Anuja, who must make a choice between education and factory work alongside her sister – a decision that will shape both their futures. It stars Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag.
The film has two-time Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga on board as executive producer and Hollywood star-writer Mindy Kaling as producer.
It is produced in collaboration with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a nonprofit founded by filmmaker Mira Nair’s family in support of street and working children, alongside Shine Global, and Krushan Naik Films.
Besides “Anuja“, “I Am Ready, Warden” is another movie with an India connection.
Nominated in the Documentary Short Film category, the film is directed by Indian-origin American filmmaker Smriti Mundhra.
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The film explores the story of Texas death row prisoner John Henry Ramirez, who seeks forgiveness from his victim’s son in the days leading up to his execution in 2022.
The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
