Anuja (film)

Last updated

Anuja
Anuja film poster.jpg
Official poster
Directed byAdam J. Graves
Story byAdam J. Graves
Produced by
Starring
  • Sajda Pathan
  • Ananya Shanbhag
  • Nagesh Bhonsle
  • Gulshan Walia
  • Sushil Parwana
  • Sunita Bhadauria
  • Rudolfo Rajeev Hubert
  • Jugal Kishore
  • Pankaj Gupta
CinematographyAkash Raje
Edited by
  • Krushan Naik
  • Adam J. Graves
Music byFabrizio Mancinelli
Production
companies
Distributed by Netflix
Release date
Running time
22 minutes
Country
  • United States
Language
  • Hindi

Anuja is a 2024 American Hindi-language short film written and directed by philosopher-turned-filmmaker Adam J. Graves. Starring Sajda Pathan, Ananya Shanbhag and Nagesh Bhonsle, it tells the story of a gifted nine-year-old girl who, alongside her sister Palak, faces a life-changing opportunity that tests their bond and mirrors the struggles of girls worldwide. The project is a collaboration between Graves and his wife Suchitra Mattai, a visual artists of South Asian decent who served as producer. It premiered on 17 August 2024 at the HollyShorts Film Festival. [1] [2]

Contents

On 23 January 2025, it was nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. [3]

Synopsis

When a talented 9-year-old girl Anuja, who works in a garment factory in Delhi, India, is given a rare opportunity to attend school, she faces a heart-wrenching choice that will impact her and her sister Palak’s future.

Cast

Production

The film was developed and shot with the assistance of various community partners, such as the Salaam Baalak Trust, an Indian non-profit and non-governmental organization which provides support for street and working children in the Delhi-NCR. Shine Global, the non-profit production company joined the team in order to help with social impact campaign of the film. [4]

In October 2024, Guneet Monga joined the production team as executive producer. [5] In November 2024, Mindy Kaling joined as producer. [6]

In January 2025, Priyanka Chopra Jonas joined the film as an executive producer. [2]

Release

Anuja had its world premiere in Oscar-qualifying 24th DeadCENTER Film Festival on 8 June 2024. [7]

On 23 July it made it to the official Selection of the 2024 Indy Shorts International Film Festival. [8]

On 17 August 2024, it competed at the HollyShorts Film Festival in Oscar-qualifying categories and won Best Live Action Short Award. [9]

In October 2024, it competed in Montclair Film Festival, where it won Audience Award Short Film. [10]

On 9 November 2024, it was played in Narrative Shorts 9 at the St. Louis International Film Festival in International Spotlight Section. [11]

On 6 December 2024, it was showcased at the HollyShorts London Film Festival in Inaugural Class of 2024 Official Selections. [12]

In January 2025, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the short film. [13]

Reception

Mark Jacob reviewing for We Love Short Films rated the film 5 out of 5 stars. Mark Jacob praising Graves, wrote that Graves "skillfully captures the essence of Anuja’s world, using striking visuals to convey her youthful resilience." He opined that "For anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling through film, this is an experience not to be missed." [14]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
HollyShorts Film Festival 19 August 2024Best Live Action Short AwardAnujaWon [15]
New York Shorts International Film Festival17 October 2024Grand PrizeWon [16]
Montclair Film Festival 27 October 2024Audience Award Short FilmWon [10] [17]
Academy Awards March 2, 2025 Best Live Action Short Film Pending [3] [18]

Impact of the film

Anuja addresses the themes of child labour and girls' education: [19]

Investing in girls' secondary education leads to significant benefits:

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References

  1. "Proudly Announcing the 2024 HollyShorts Awards Nominees". HollyShorts Film Festival . 17 August 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  2. 1 2 Naman Ramachandran (8 January 2025). "Priyanka Chopra Jonas Joins Oscar-Shortlisted 'Anuja' as Executive Producer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  3. 1 2 "The 97th Academy Awards | (2025)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  4. "Shine Global Boards Live-Action Short Film Anuja". Shine Global . 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  5. Naman Ramachandran (25 October 2024). "Oscar Winner Guneet Monga Kapoor Backs Academy-Qualified 'Anuja,' a Tale of Sisterhood Against Child Labor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  6. Lily Ford (26 November 2024). "Mindy Kaling Boards Her "Favorite Film of the Year," Live-Action Short 'Anuja,' as Producer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  7. "Anuja to Have its World Premiere at Oscar-Qualifying deadCenter Film Festival". Shine Global . 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  8. "Anuja, United States, 2024". Indy Shorts International Film Festival. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  9. Margeaux Sippell (23 August 2024). "MChild Labor Short 'Anuja' Wins Best Live Action Short at HollyShorts". MovieMaker Magazine . Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Full Lineup Announced for the 2024 Montclair Film Festival". Awards Radar. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  11. "Anuja: Narrative Shorts 9". St. Louis International Film Festival. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  12. "HollyShorts London Announces Inaugural Class of 2024 Official Selections". HollyShorts London Film Festival. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  13. Ramachandran, Naman (14 January 2025). "Netflix Acquires 'Anuja,' Oscar-Shortlisted Short Film Backed by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mindy Kaling". Variety . Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  14. Jacob, Mark (4 November 2024). "2025 OSCAR CONTENDER: ANUJA – A powerful celebration of resilience and a moving testament to hope amidst adversity". We Love Short Films. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  15. "Announcing the 2024 HollyShorts Award Winners". HollyShorts Film Festival . 19 August 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  16. "New York Shorts International Film Festival". New York Shorts International Film Festival. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  17. Bergeson, Samantha (28 October 2024). "Montclair Film Festival Announces 2024 Winners: 'All We Imagine as Light' Takes Top Prize". IndieWire . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  18. Lewis, Hilary (23 January 2025). "Oscars: Full List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  19. "Shine Global Live-Action Short Film Anuja Impact". Shine Global . 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.