PAPA BUKA SELECTED AS PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S FIRST EVER OFFICIAL ENTRY FOR THE 98th ACADEMY AWARDS

The Papua New Guinea Oscar Selection Committee, under the PNG Academy Awards Secretariat, National Culture Commission is proud to announce that Papa Buka has been officially selected to represent Papua New Guinea in the International Feature Film Category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars). This marks a historic milestone as Papua New Guinea’s first-ever submission to the Oscars, coinciding with the nation’s 50th year of independence. Directed by the Indian Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Dr. Biju and produced by Mrs. Noelene Taula Wunum from Papua New Guinea and other Producers from India Mr. Akshay Kumar Parija, Mr. Pa Ranjith and Mr.Prakash Bare , Papa Buka is a groundbreaking feature film that captures the cultural richness, storytelling strength, and cinematic vision of Papua New Guinea. The film has been selected by Papua New Guinea Oscar Selection Committee which is an officially recognized body under the National Culture Commission of Papua New Guinea. Its mandate is to review eligible films each year and select one film to represent the nation in the International Feature Film category of the Academy Awards. The Committee’s decision follows a rigorous evaluation process of submissions, with Papa Buka emerging as the film that best represents the identity and creativity of the nation on the global stage. “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 Dr. Don Niles, Chairman of the PNG Oscar Selection Committee.