Critically acclaimed Papa Buka to be screened in Kochi

A special screening of the critically acclaimed film Papa Buka, a landmark Indo-Papua New Guinea co-production directed by Biju Damodaran, will be held at Chavara Dolby Theatre at 5.45 p.m. on Monday.

The screening is being organised by the Cochin Film Society in association with the Chavara Cultural Centre. The film follows two Indian historians on a journey into the rugged terrains of Papua New Guinea in search of forgotten truths about Indian soldiers who fought for the Allied forces during World War II. Their quest to honour those who never returned home is guided by an 85-year-old local veteran who lived through the conflict.

At Oscars

Papa Buka is being showcased in Kochi after a successful run on the international circuit, where it earned widespread acclaim. It was the official entry from Papua New Guinea for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars 2025. The movie won the Special Jury Award at the Minsk International Film Festival 2025, featured as a ‘Red Carpet Entry’ at IFFI Goa in 2025, received critical praise at the International Film Festival of Kerala in 2025, and has been selected for the ‘Asian Competition’ category at the Dhaka International Film Festival in 2026.

The screening will be followed by an interactive session with director Biju Damodaran along with members of the cast and crew.