The milestone comes as Papua New Guinea celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence in 2025.
Published Aug 27, 2025 | 3:26 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 27, 2025 | 3:26 PM
A poster of the film 'Papa Buka'. (Supplied)
In a historic first, Papua New Guinea has officially selected Papa Buka, directed by internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker and Keralite Dr Biju, as its entry to the 98th Academy Awards (2026) in the Best International Feature Film category.
The announcement was made on 25 August at a press conference in Port Moresby by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Beldon Norman Namah, National Cultural Commission Executive Director Steven Enombe Kilanta, and Papua New Guinea Oscar Selection Committee Chairman Dr Don Niles.
The milestone comes as Papua New Guinea celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence in 2025.
“The fact that a film can be sent to the Oscars for the first time on this occasion is a great boost for the film industry in Papua New Guinea,” said the minister.
Papa Buka is a Papua New Guinea–India co-production and marks the first time in history that a film directed by an Indian filmmaker has been officially selected to represent another country at the Oscars.
Shot entirely in Papua New Guinea, the film is presented in Tok Pisin, Hindi, Bengali, and English.
It has been produced under the banner of Papua New Guinea–based NAFA by Noelene Taula Wunnam, along with Indian producers Akshay Kumar Parija (Akshay Parija Productions), Pa Ranjith (Neelam Productions), and Prakash Bare (Silicon Media).
The central role of Papa Buka is played by 85-year-old Sine Boboro, a tribal elder from Papua New Guinea.
The film also stars Bengali actress Ritabhari Chakraborty and Malayali actor Prakash Bare, alongside John Syke, Barbara Anatu, Jacob Oburi, Sandra Dawuma, Clement Jima, and Max Maso.
The music has been composed by three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej, with cinematography by Yedu Radhakrishnan, screenplay co-written by Daniel Joyner Dagt, and editing by Davis Manuel.
Dr Biju, a three-time National Award-winning filmmaker in India, expressed his joy over the recognition.
“I am very happy that the film has been selected to officially represent Papua New Guinea at the Oscars. I consider this a rare honor for a director,” he said in a statement.
Committee Chairman Dr Don Niles called it a landmark moment for Papua New Guinea’s cultural identity.
“Papa Buka embodies our stories, our traditions, and our artistic voice. We are proud to present it to the world through the Academy Awards platform,” he said.
