Dr Biju’s 'Papa Buka' Becomes Papua New Guinea’s First-Ever Oscar Entry

Papua New Guinea has made its debut in the Academy Awards race, selecting 'Papa Buka', directed by Malayali filmmaker Dr Biju, as its official entry for the 98th Oscars in the International Feature Film category. The landmark decision comes as the nation marks its 50th year of independence, adding symbolic weight to its first-ever Oscar submission.

'Papa Buka' is produced by Papua New Guinean filmmaker Noelene Taula Wunum along with Indian producers Akshay Kumar Parija, Pa Ranjith and Prakash Bare. The film has been hailed as a pioneering work that highlights Papua New Guinea’s cultural richness and storytelling traditions. The selection was announced by the Papua New Guinea Oscar Selection Committee under the National Culture Commission after a detailed review process. “This is a historic moment for Papua New Guinea cinema. 'Papa Buka' embodies our stories, our traditions, and our artistic voice, and we are proud to present it to the world through the Academy Awards platform,” said committee chairman Dr Don Niles.

Dr Biju, whose films have previously screened at prestigious festivals including Cannes and Berlin, becomes the first Indian director to represent Papua New Guinea at the Oscars. For the director, the recognition marks another milestone in his career, while for Papua New Guinea, it signals the start of a new cinematic journey on the global stage.