The acclaimed short film Anuja is set to premiere on Netflix, bringing a heartwarming and impactful story of resilience to audiences worldwide. Directed by Adam J. Graves, the film centers on nine-year-old Anuja, played by Sajda Pathan, who works in a garment factory in Delhi alongside her sister Palak, portrayed by Ananya Shanbhag. Faced with a profound life-changing decision, Anuja carries the weight of her family’s future on her young shoulders.

Anuja has already received significant recognition, including a spot on the shortlist for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards and winning the top prize at the HollyShorts Film Festival last year. Graves worked with organizations such as Salaam Baalak Trust, Shine Global, and Save the Children to authentically depict the challenges and triumphs of working children in India.

“Anuja is a heartfelt celebration of resilience and hope,” said Graves. “Thanks to Netflix, this inspiring story of remarkable young girls can now reach audiences around the globe.”

The film boasts an impressive production team that includes Mindy Kaling (Never Have I Ever), Guneet Monga Kapoor (The Elephant Whisperers), and executive producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Kaling remarked, “This story holds great significance for me. It sheds light on critical issues while also celebrating humour and determination. Netflix will help elevate this essential conversation to an international level.”

Shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category, Anuja is a deeply researched production created in collaboration with organizations such as the Salaam Baalak Trust, which supports street children. Lead actress Sajda Pathan, a beneficiary of the Trust, brings authenticity to her role in this poignant narrative.

Describing the film, Adam J. Graves called it “a heartfelt tribute to the resilience and untold stories of working children,” and praised the partnerships with NGOs like the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation and Save the Children for enhancing its message.

The talented creative team behind the film includes producers Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Krushan Naik, and executive producers Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Anita Bhatia. Kaling commented on the film’s debut on the streaming platform, saying, “Anuja is powerful, hopeful, and vibrant, just like the incredible young girls it showcases.”

Guneet Monga Kapoor emphasized that director Adam J. Graves delivers an empowering and entertaining message, stating, “With Netflix’s reach, Anuja will inspire audiences across the globe and amplify voices that are often overlooked.”

Produced by Graves Films, Shine Global Inc., and Krushan Naik Films, Anuja combines a gripping narrative, powerful performances, and a focus on social impact, promising to resonate with viewers worldwide.

Payal Kapadia’s film All We Imagine As Light has made India proud by receiving a nomination at the BAFTA Awards. At the BAFTA Film Awards, the film earned a nomination in the Best Film Not in the English Language category. The nominations were announced on Wednesday by actors Mia McKenna-Bruce and Will Sharpe.

While Payal’s film was longlisted in three categories—Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Not in the English Language—it ultimately secured only one nomination. Payal missed out on nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Competing against All We Imagine As Light in the same category are Emilia Perez, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, I’m Still Here, and Kneecap.

Previously, Payal Kapadia was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globe Awards but lost to Brady Corbet for his work on The Brutalist. All We Imagine As Light was also nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the Golden Globes, but lost to Emilia Perez.

All We Imagine As Light tells the poignant story of two Malayali nurses, Prabha and Anu. Prabha’s life takes an unexpected turn when her estranged husband sends her a surprise gift, while Anu grapples with finding a private place for intimacy with her lover.

Directed by Payal Kapadia, the film features performances by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridhu Haroon. The film launched its awards campaign after winning the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival in May and is now available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India, where it premiered on January 3.

Significantly, All We Imagine As Light is only the seventh Indian film to be nominated in this category and the first in over a decade since Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox (2013), starring Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur.

The first Indian film to receive a nomination in this category was Salaam Bombay! (1988), directed by Mira Nair, who also earned India its second nomination with Monsoon Wedding (2001). Other Indian films that have received nominations over the years include Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas (2002), Asif Kapadia’s The Warrior (2002), and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Rang De Basanti (2006).

The BAFTA Film Awards will be streamed live and exclusively in India on Lionsgate Play on February 16.

Despite many Hollywood events being postponed or cancelled due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the Sundance Film Festival is moving forward with its 11-day event scheduled to begin next week in Park City, Utah.

In a letter sent Monday to registrants from Southern California, the festival’s CEO Amanda Kelso and director Eugene Hernandez stated, “We may mourn, but we also recognize the importance of continuing with our plans.” They encouraged recipients to share how they have been impacted by the fires.

Michelle Satter, a founding director of the Sundance Institute and its artists programs, revealed on social media last week that she lost her home in the Palisades fire. Satter is set to be honoured at the festival’s opening gala on January 24.

Sundance isn’t the only significant event in the American entertainment calendar that will proceed as planned; organizers confirmed that the Grammy Awards will also go on as scheduled and will be broadcast on television.

However, the Oscars face the possibility of being cancelled for the first time in 96 years. The organization behind the Oscars has already cancelled its luxurious nominees’ luncheon, leading to speculation that the awards ceremony itself may not take place this year.

An insider revealed to the Sun, “The board is primarily concerned about not appearing to celebrate while many Angelenos are experiencing heartbreak and unimaginable loss. Even if the fires were to subside in the next week, the reality is that the city will still be in pain and will continue to grapple with that for months to come. Thus, the decision has been made to shift focus toward support and fundraising when appropriate opportunities arise.”

The wildfires in Los Angeles have devastated thousands of homes and resulted in 24 fatalities, with more individuals reported missing as that number is expected to rise. Notable figures, including Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, and Billy Crystal, have lost their homes to the fires, leading to a halt in production for various TV shows and films.