From top: 'I Am Ready Warden' and 'Anuja'. MTV Documentary Films | Graves Films |
Smriti Mundhra's I Am Ready, Warden (MTV Documentary Films), and Adam J. Graves and Suchitra Mattai's Anuja (Netflix) - two films that have a South Asian connection, earned Oscar nominations for Best Documentary Short and Best Live Action Short, respectively, at the 97th Academy Awards.
A non-fussy, muted, though at-times-light-hearted announcement of the nominations took place earlier this morning, as an awareness of the devastating fires that have ravaged Los Angeles over 2 weeks and counting.
Produced by Mundhra, Maya Gnyp, and Nina Aujla, and executive produced by Sheila Nevins, I Am Ready, Warden recounts the emotionally charged story of death row inmate, John Henry Ramirez, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2008. His victim was Pablo Castro, a convenience store employee in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Mundhra, who is of Indian descent, has painted a poignant, powerful and delicately balanced narrative of redemption vs retribution in the film. This is Mundhra's second Oscar nomination, having previously been nominated for her documentary short, St. Louis Superman at the 2020 Academy awards.
Set in New Delhi India, Anuja tells the story of a 9-year-old girl, Anuja, who works in a garment factory with her older sister Palak. When Anuja is offered a rare opportunity to attend school, she is forced to make a life-changing decision that will determine both the sisters’ fate.
Directed by Graves and produced by Mattai, Graves' nuanced narrative and direction of a story inspired by the children who reside at Salaam Balak Trust - a non-profit organization that nurtures and supports street children in New Delhi - attracted prolific filmmakers such as Oscar-winner Guneet Monga Kapoor, Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra Jonas to board the film as producers.
The complete list of the 2025 Oscar nominations can be found on the Academy portal: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2025?utm_source=press&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=97noms
The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, and will be televised live on ABC, streamed live on Hulu and airs live in more than 200 territories worldwide.
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