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.

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.

An animator has filed a remarkable $10 billion lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the company plagiarized his concept for the Moana franchise. Buck Woodall initiated the copyright infringement lawsuit in California federal court on Friday, claiming that Disney borrowed several elements from his long-existing screenplay for an animated film titled Bucky without his permission.

In his lawsuit, Woodall argues that Disney’s Moana franchise bears “breathtaking” similarities to his script for Bucky the Wave Warrior, which draws inspiration from his “unique exposure” to Polynesian culture. According to the lawsuit, both stories follow “a teenager who defies parental warnings and embarks on a perilous journey,” as reported by People.

Woodall has also included production company Mandeville Films and Jenny Marchick, the former head of feature development at DreamWorks Animation, in the lawsuit. He asserts that he pitched his Polynesian-themed film idea to Marchick and her then-employer, Mandeville Films, in 2003. The lawsuit claims that Marchick shared Woodall’s copyrighted materials with Disney.

The animator is seeking “at least $ 10 billion.” Woodall’s complaint includes the allegation that on “the eve of the release of Moana” in 2016, Marchick allegedly claimed that none of the materials he had sent her “made it beyond her desk.”

However, Woodall contends that Disney already possessed his content when he submitted the final draft of Bucky to her in 2011. The lawsuit further argues that both protagonists from Moana and Bucky journey across Polynesian waters to rescue an “endangered” island. Additional similarities cited between the two films include “ancient spirits manifested as animals that guide and protect the living,” among various others.

In a separate development, Marvel president Kevin Feige, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and director Tim Miller have become entangled in an ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Recently, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a litigation hold letter to Kevin and Bob regarding the actor’s “anticipated claims” against Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and others. According to Variety, Justin has now requested that the studio preserve all pertinent documents and data related to the case.