Shine Global is thrilled to share that Anuja has been nominated for Best Live Action Short at the 97th Academy Awards.

Anuja, crafted by husband-and-wife team Adam J. Graves (writer/director) and Suchitra Mattai (producer), tells a stirring tale of two sisters struggling to find joy and opportunity in a world intent on their exploitation and exclusion. This powerful short follows Anuja, a precocious nine-year-old orphan who works in a back-alley garment factory alongside her older sister Palak, when she is suddenly faced with a rare opportunity that will determine the fate of her future and family. The film can soon be seen worldwide on Netflix.

Anuja was produced by Graves Films in partnership with the Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a nonprofit that supports street and working children, Shine Global, the production company behind Emmy and Academy Award-winning films such as War/Dance (2007) and Inocente (2012), and Krushan Naik Films. Adding authenticity to the narrative, lead actress Sajda Pathan draws from her own experiences of surviving on the streets of old Delhi, along with her sister, before recently finding a home with the Salaam Baalak Trust.

Producer Alexandra Blaney, Co-CEO and Creative Director of Shine Global, said, “We are so proud of the entire team behind Anuja for this honor.  This Oscar-nomination ensures that the story of Anuja and her sister will reach and inspire audiences around the world, shining a light on the resilience and strength of children, which is at the heart of our mission.

Adam J. Graves (Writer/Director) is a philosopher-turned-filmmaker who wrote, directed, and produced the award-winning short film Cycle Vérité (2021). He is married to the acclaimed visual artist Suchitra Mattai (producer of ANUJA).

Adam shared “This is an extraordinary honor. Anuja began as a small passion project between filmmakers to showcase the resilience and strength of remarkable children, and I’m deeply grateful to the Academy for giving this story a global platform. Working with Sajda and Ananya, the two young women who are the heart and soul of this film, has been a career highlight for me, and this recognition is a powerful reminder of the impact compassion and courage can have in inspiring change.”

Suchitra Mattai (Producer) is a multi-disciplinary artist of South Asian descent, whose work celebrates the power of women, reimagines historical narratives, and explores her family’s history of indentured labor. 

Suchitra expressed “Being part of Anuja has been an incredible journey, and I’m honored to share this story with the world. Through our partnership with Salaam Baalak Trust, we’ve been able to provide a platform for the voices of working children and highlight the incredible work this organization does to support and uplift these kids. It’s been a privilege to tell such an impactful story, and I hope it inspires greater awareness and action to empower these remarkable young lives.”

Anuja has been championed by a powerhouse team of producers, including Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor (Oscar winner for The Elephant Whisperers) and Executive Producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Tony Award winning producer and Emmy nominated writer Mindy Kaling is best known for her starring role in the U.S. version of “The Office”, as well as her hit shows she has created and produced like “The Mindy Project”, “Never Have I Ever” “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and the upcoming “Running Point.” 

Mindy shared “I have been a producer for almost twenty years, but producing Anuja has been a highlight of my career. I feel so lucky to be part of this joyous story of two girls with big dreams and ambitions, but who are overlooked  – my favorite kind of heroines! I’m so grateful to Adam Graves and Suchitra Mattai for inviting me and Kaling International on this journey.  I also don’t sleep so it was nice to actually be doing something fun at 5:30 this morning.”

Guneet Monga Kapoor is an Indian film producer, an Academy Award winner, and BAFTA nominee, and amongst the first producers from India to be invited to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Most recently, Guneet became the first producer in India to win an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short, for the Indian produced ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ (2023). 

Guneet said “Incredibly honoured for this nomination at the 97th Oscars. It is a privilege to share the story of Anuja, representing the work of Salaam Baalak Trust India – the voice of countless youth who bravely face formidable circumstances everyday. Even through unimaginable odds, they show us there is reason to smile. Director Adam J. Graves and Producer Suchitra Mattai have poured all of their hearts into this. This nomination is a testament to how we can cross borders, collaborate, and bring honest stories to life, alongside the support of some of the most powerful global icons like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.  Thank you for helping bring Anuja’s message to the global stage. Can’t wait for the world to experience the joy of watching Anuja on Netflix.”

Anuja’s Executive Producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ expressed “‘Anuja’ being nominated for an Oscar in the Best Live Action Short Film category is such an incredible moment. This film is a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling—how it can shine a light on love, family, and resilience in the most authentic way. I’m so proud of Adam J. Graves for his vision and deeply moved by the brilliant performances of Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag, who have poured their hearts into bringing these characters to life. It’s an honor for me to be part of this journey alongside our amazing partners—Suchitra Mattai, Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Shine Global. Telling meaningful stories that resonate with audiences is what drives us, and I’m beyond thrilled to see ‘Anuja’ receive this well-deserved recognition.”

With Netflix’s platform in over 190 countries, Anuja will reach global audiences, furthering Shine Global’s goal to spark dialogue around child labor and education.

Additional members of the producing team are Krushan Naik (Resurgence), Aaron Kopp (Saving Face, Liyana, Hunting Ground), and Ksheetij Saini. Along with actors Pathan and Shanbhag, the film also features popular award-winning Indian television actor, Nagesh Bhonsle, best known internationally for his supporting role as police deputy commissioner, “Vam” in Hotel Mumbai starring Dev Patel. Other team members include Co-Executive Producers Susan MacLaury, Albie Hecht, and Archana Jain, and Executive Producers Michael Graves and Anita Bhatia with original music by Fabrizio Mancinelli.

The nomination for Anuja comes after having won several film festival awards including the Oscar-qualifying award of Best Live Action Short at the HollyShorts Film Festival, the Audience Award at Montclair Film Festival, and the Grand Prize at the New York International Short Film Festival and continues to garner critical acclaim for its emotional depth and social impact. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025.

You can make a donation to support Shine Global’s efforts using Anuja as a tool to combat child labor.

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About Shine Global
Shine Global is a non-profit media company that improves the lives of children by telling powerful stories to raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change. We produce inspiring films and compelling content about underserved children. Through tailored distribution and outreach, we connect with our audiences in communities, classrooms, museums, and on Capitol Hill as part of a powerful engagement campaign to encourage social change.
Since our founding in 2005, Shine Global films have won more than 100 major awards, including an Academy Award® for Best Documentary Short Subject for Inocente and an Academy Award®-nomination and two Emmys® for War/Dance. Recent films include the documentary-animation hybrid Liyana, the hit documentary The Eagle Huntress, Through Our Eyes: Homefront which is available on HBOMax, the Ariel Award winner Home Is Somewhere Else, and Comedy Against the Odds which is currently in film festivals.

ABOUT SHINE GLOBAL’S RESILIENCE AWARDS
These awards recognize and celebrate the films and filmmakers that highlight the resilience and strength of children in the face of adversity. The awards are open to films of any genre that showcase children overcoming challenges, such as poverty, violence, illness, and discrimination, and demonstrate their resilience, courage, and determination.