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Papua New Guinea selects India co-production 'Papa Buka' for Oscars
Papua New Guinea’s first Academy Awards submission, ‘Papa Buka,’ explores untold World War II histories through an Indo-PNG collaboration.
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Staff Reporter - Tue, 18, Nov 2025
- 14:07 EST
- 17
Poster of ‘Papa Buka’ directed by Bijukumar Damodaran / Courtesy: Wikipedia
Papua New Guinea has selected 'Papa Buka,' a historical drama co-produced with India, as its first official submission to the Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone for both nations’ film industries.
Announced on Nov. 18 in Los Angeles, the film is also competing across multiple categories at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards—a first for a Papua New Guinean feature.
Directed by three-time National Award winner Biju (Bijukumar Damodaran), 'Papa Buka' revisits overlooked histories of Indian soldiers and indigenous Papuans who served during World War II.
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Set in 2014, the narrative follows historians Romila and Anand as they travel with driver Sike Yuants and elder Papa Buka, turning their research mission into a deeper reflection on memory, identity, and the generational impacts of conflict.
"This recognition is deeply meaningful for both Papua New Guinea and India,” Biju said. "'Papa Buka' is a bridge between cultures and a tribute to those whose stories have been overlooked. Cinema has the power to restore memory—and that is what this film hopes to do."
To connect with U.S. audiences ahead of awards season, the film will embark on a North American tour that includes festival screenings, critic engagements, and theatrical showings.
The 101-minute feature stars Sine Boboro as Papa Buka, Ritabhari Chakraborty as Romila Chatterjee, Prakash Bare as Anand Kunjiraman, and John Sike as Sike Yuants. A score by Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej, cinematography by Yedhu Radhakrishnan, and production design by Dileep Daz showcase Papua New Guinea’s diverse landscapes.
'Papa Buka' is the first feature co-produced by Papua New Guinea and India, an effort that involved training 40 Papua New Guinean university students alongside the international crew.
Its Oscar submission coincides with Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence, reinforcing the country’s growing cultural presence on the global stage.
The film brings together producers Noelene Taula Wunum, Akshay Kumar Parija, PA Ranjith, and Prakash Bare. Support came from the Papua New Guinea Ministry of Tourism, Art, and Culture; the High Commission of India in Papua New Guinea; and partner institutions across both countries.
Biju, a prominent figure in contemporary Indian cinema, has directed 14 films screened at festivals including Cannes, Montreal, Shanghai, Telluride, Moscow, and Chicago. His debut, 'Saira,' premiered at Cannes in 2007, and he earned the Golden Goblet Award for Best Artistic Achievement at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2019.
'Papa Buka' begins its U.S. tour with a UCLA screening at the James Bridges Theater on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m., followed by a Los Angeles theatrical run at Laemmle Claremont starting Dec. 17 with three daily shows.
The film will also appear on private screening platforms for Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards voters throughout awards season.
Produced in Tok Pisin, English, Hindi, and Bengali, 'Papa Buka' aims to elevate untold wartime stories and deepen cultural understanding between Papua New Guinea and India.
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