The Papua New Guinea Oscar Selection Committee, operating under the PNG Academy Awards Secretariat of the National Culture Commission (NCC), recently announced that Papa Buka has been officially chosen to represent Papua New Guinea in the International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars). This marks a historic achievement as the country’s first-ever submission to the Oscars, coinciding with Papua New Guinea's 50th anniversary of independence. Directed by internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker Dr. Biju, and produced by Papua New Guinea's own Mrs. Noelene Taula Wunum, alongside Indian producers Mr. Akshay Kumar Parija, Mr. Pa Ranjith, and Mr. Prakash Bare. Papa Buka is a pioneering feature film that beautifully showcases the cultural richness, storytelling traditions, and cinematic vision of Papua New Guinea. The film was selected by the Papua New Guinea Oscar Selection Committee, an official body under NCC, which carefully evaluates and nominates films to represent the nation on the global stage. Its mandate is to review eligible films each year and select one film to represent the country 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. Dr. Don Niles, Chairman of the PNG Oscar Selection Committee expressed his delight towards the achievement. "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.”