Nila Madhab Panda's 'Kalira Atita' in Oscars race, details inside

Director Nila Madhab Panda has entered his Odia film Kalira Atita (Yesterday's Past) for the Oscars this year.

"In a year full of challenges, feel extremely happy to announce #KaliraAtita has made its entry into the Oscar race in general entry category four best picture, Best Actor, Best Director & many other categories. It's being made available for academy screening, Grateful to everyone Folded hands," tweeted Panda.

 February 19, 2021

The film is about the disappearing villages of India's eastern coastline in Odisha because of climate change and rising sea levels. The movie is made available at the Academy Screening Room onwards and will be viewed by the academy members for votes and nominations, said a statement.

"It was a difficult year to make it qualify as all theatres are shut in Los Angles and New York. We have started publicity and reaching out to juries to show the film," said Panda.

The film was earlier screened at the Indian Panorama section of the ongoing 51st International Film Festival of India in Goa.

Meanwhile, the short film Bittu has made it to the Live Action Short Film shortlist, and is still in contention for a nomination. Karishma Dev Dube's Bittu is part of the ten-movie list. The film has been presented by Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga and Tahira Kashyap under their Indian Women Rising initiative.

Now, members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch will vote to determine if the film makes the nomination cut.

The final nominations for the Oscars will be announced on March 15. This year, the award gala will be held on April 25.