Papua New Guinea has selected “ Papa Buka ” as its inaugural submission to the Academy Awards , marking the first time the Pacific nation has entered the international feature film category at the Oscars.

Directed by internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker Bijukumar Damodaran (Shanghai winner “Trees Under the Sun”), “Papa Buka” follows aging war veteran Papa Buka as he guides two Indian historians uncovering untold WWII stories connecting India and Papua New Guinea through shared sacrifice and humanity.

The timing proves particularly symbolic, coinciding with Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence.

The milestone announcement was made by Belden Norman Namah, Papua New Guinea Minister for Tourism Art and Culture, alongside National Cultural Commission executive director St

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