Graduates of Prague Film School helped make the Oscar-nominated short Anuja

Waves, the Czech Republic's official submission for Best International Film at this year's Academy Awards, ultimately did not secure a nomination. But filmmakers with ties to the country will still be represented at this year's Oscar ceremony.

Anuja, a short film featuring the contributions of five graduates of Prague Film School, has been nominated for Best Live Action Short Film. The film, which previously won the Best Live Action Short Award at the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival, has also secured global distribution on Netflix.

The involvement of Prague Film School alumni in Anuja spans key production roles, with Ksheetij Saini serving as producer and VFX artist, Akash Raje as cinematographer, Siddharth Gadhia as first assistant camera, Laura Salagnac as assistant to the director, and Aaryaman Kutty as colorist.

“Honestly, it felt like a PFS set,” Saini remarked about the production of Anuja.

The 22-minute short film, directed by Adam J. Graves, follows a nine-year-old girl who works in a Delhi garment factory with her older sister. Displaying a natural talent for mathematics, Anuja faces a difficult decision when a local teacher gives her an opportunity to join school while her employer offers her a better-paying position.

Prague Film School has long been recognized for fostering filmmakers who go on to achieve international acclaim. The school’s alumni have had their works featured and awarded at major festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Venice, Toronto, and Locarno.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the success of Anuja and the extraordinary accomplishments of our alumni,” says Tariq Hager, co-founder and co-director of Prague Film School.

“This Oscar nomination is a testament to the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit nurtured within our halls,” adds co-director Steve Reverand.

The school offers hands-on training with a focus on storytelling, technical expertise, and teamwork. Its programs attract students from over 40 countries, making it a hub for aspiring filmmakers looking to break into the global film industry.

Beyond its nomination, Anuja has received strong support from industry figures, including Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The film’s recognition at HollyShorts helped boost its profile, leading to its Academy Award nomination.

Oscar prognosticators list Anuja as one of the favorites to win Best Live Action Short, along with The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, a Croatian drama about the 1993 massacre of 19 civilians in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Picked up for distribution by Netflix, Anuja can now be seen on the streaming platform in locations worldwide. The added visibility from its availability on the world's biggest streamer could give Anuja additional exposure leading up to the awards vote.

This year's Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Czech filmmakers will also be represented at the ceremony by the team behind Nosferatu, which was nominated in four categories, including a nod for Prague-based set decorator Beatrice Brentnerová.