Adam J Graves’ ‘Anuja’ tells the compelling story of two sisters battling exploitation and exclusion. The short film follows nine-year-old orphan Anuja, who, working in a garment factory with her older sister Palak, faces a pivotal opportunity that could change their lives. Premiering at the deadCenter Film Festival, ‘Anuja’ will also screen at the HollyShorts Film Festival in LA.
‘Anuja’ was produced in collaboration with Salaam Baalak Trust (founded by Mira Nair’s family) and SHINE GLOBAL, known for Emmy and Academy Award-winning films. Lead actress Sajda Pathan, who grew up in the streets of Old Delhi and begged outside a Hanuman temple, was later invited by SBT to attend their non-formal education centre in Yamuna Bazaar.
Adam J Graves, a philosopher-turned-filmmaker with a B.A. in South Asian Studies and a Ph.D. in the Philosophy of Religion from the University of Pennsylvania, is a professor of philosophy at MSU Denver, where he teaches film and philosophy. He is the writer, director, and producer of the award-winning short ‘Cycle Vérité’ (2021) and produced and edited ‘The Other Side of the Sun’ (2024). He is married to acclaimed visual artist Suchitra Mattai, producer of ‘Anuja’ .
