Anuja (film)
| Anuja | |
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 Official poster | |
| Directed by | Adam J. Graves |
| Story by | Adam J. Graves |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Akash Raje |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Fabrizio Mancinelli |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 22 minutes |
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Anuja is a 2024 American Hindi-language short film written and directed by 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. It premiered on 17 August 2024 at the HollyShorts Film Festival.[1][2]
In December 2024, it was shortlisted for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[3][4]
Synopsis
[edit]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
[edit]- Sajda Pathan as Anuja
- Ananya Shanbhag as Palak
- Nagesh Bhonsle as Mr. Verma
- Gulshan Walia Mr. Mishra
- Sushil Parwana as Floor Manager
- Sunita Bhadauria as Friendly shopper
- Rudolfo Rajeev Hubert as Store Manager
- Jugal Kishore as Security Guard
- Pankaj Gupta as Shopper
Production
[edit]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.[5]
In October 2024, Guneet Monga joined the production team as executive producer.[6] In November 2024, Mindy Kaling joined as producer.[7]
In January 2025, Priyanka Chopra Jonas Joined the film as an executive producer.[2]
Release
[edit]Anuja had its world premiere in Oscar-qualifying 24th DeadCENTER Film Festival on 8 June 2024.[8]
On 23 July it made it to the official Selection of the 2024 Indy Shorts International Film Festival.[9]
On 17 August 2024, it competed at the HollyShorts Film Festival in Oscar-qualifying categories and won Best Live Action Short Award.[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]
Reception
[edit]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."[13]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HollyShorts Film Festival | 19 August 2024 | Best Live Action Short Award | Anuja | Won | [14] |
Impact of the film
[edit]Anuja addresses the themes of child labour and girls' education:[15]
- 1 in 10 children globally is engaged in child labour.
- At the start of 2020, 160 million children were involved in child labour, marking an increase for the first time in 20 years.
- 79 million children were working in hazardous conditions that directly threatened their health, safety, and moral development.
- Globally, 129 million girls are out of school.
Investing in girls' secondary education leads to significant benefits:
- Dramatic increases in girls' lifetime earnings
- Higher national growth rates
- Declines in child marriage rates
- Reductions in child mortality rates
- Decreases in maternal mortality rates
- Lower rates of child stunting
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Proudly Announcing the 2024 HollyShorts Awards Nominees". HollyShorts Film Festival. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ a b Naman Ramachandran (8 January 2025). "Priyanka Chopra Jonas Joins Oscar-Shortlisted 'Anuja' as Executive Producer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "97th Oscars Shortlists in 10 Award Categories Announced". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ Kimberly Nordyke, Beatrice Verhoeven (17 December 2024). "Academy Unveils Shortlists in 10 Oscar Categories". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Shine Global Boards Live-Action Short Film Anuja". Shine Global. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Anuja to Have its World Premiere at Oscar-Qualifying deadCenter Film Festival". Shine Global. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Anuja, United States, 2024". Indy Shorts International Film Festival. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ Margeaux Sippell (23 August 2024). "MChild Labor Short 'Anuja' Wins Best Live Action Short at HollyShorts". MovieMaker Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Anuja: Narrative Shorts 9". St. Louis International Film Festival. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "HollyShorts London Announces Inaugural Class of 2024 Official Selections". HollyShorts London Film Festival. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Announcing the 2024 HollyShorts Award Winners". HollyShorts Film Festival. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ "Shine Global Live-Action Short Film Anuja Impact". Shine Global. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
