“Amma’s Pride”, a poignant 28-minute Tamil documentary short directed by transgender filmmaker Shiva Krish, has qualified as India’s only trans-led entry in the Documentary Short Subject category for the 98th Academy Awards.
The film chronicles mother Valli’s unwavering support for her transgender daughter Srija, who pursued love and became part of Tamil Nadu’s first legally registered transgender marriage to Arun Kumar, facing societal stigma, school expulsions, and legal hurdles along the way.
It secured eligibility after screening at the Academy-qualifying Woodland Hills event on 10 December 2025 in Los Angeles, following festival triumphs like Best Short Documentary at IDSFFK Kerala; Shiva Krish stresses that true allyship begins at home, Valli calls for parental acceptance of trans children, and the film has garnered over 60 global screenings plus 275,000 online views through campaigns like “Path to Pride”, marking a milestone for queer Indian cinema amid no official Academy statements yet.
Valli’s Transformative Journey of Love and Advocacy
At the heart of “Amma’s Pride” lies Valli’s profound evolution from initial shock upon learning of Srija’s transgender identity to becoming her fiercest protector and advocate. The documentary intimately documents their shared struggles over five years, including Srija’s expulsion from school due to discrimination, relentless community backlash, and the couple’s fight for legal marriage recognition in conservative Tamil Nadu society.
Valli’s powerful on-camera reflection captures this shift: “Parents should support their trans children from the start. I will have the greatest satisfaction when loving and accepting them becomes the norm across families.”
This raw testimony, woven with home videos and candid interviews, humanises the narrative, revealing not just pain but resilience and joy in Srija’s relationship with Arun.
Shiva Krish, drawing from her own experiences as a trans woman and filmmaker, incorporates vital statistics to underscore the stakes: India’s 2011 census recorded over 4.8 lakh transgender individuals, yet trans-led stories from the country remain exceedingly rare, often overshadowed by mainstream narratives.
The film’s unfiltered portrayal blending tears, laughter, and triumphs transforms statistics into lived realities, spotlighting how one family’s bond challenges deep-rooted prejudices and inspires viewers to reconsider acceptance.
Trailblazing Path from Festivals to Oscar Spotlight
“Amma’s Pride” embarked on its remarkable journey with a premiere in late 2024, quickly amassing international acclaim through over 60 screenings worldwide, from LGBTQIA+ film festivals and law schools to even remote locations like Antarctica via specialised groups.
Key accolades include the Best Short Documentary at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), the Jen Lynn Award at Hobnobben Festival, and the Sher Vancouver Award, propelling it toward Oscar contention.
Qualification came through rigorous Academy standards, achieved via a theatrical run at the Woodland Hills venue a feat for any independent short, let alone a trans-led Indian production funded partly through crowdfunding despite early financial barriers.
Post-qualification buzz has surged on social media, with Instagram campaigns like “For Your Consideration” and panels in New Delhi alongside organisations such as the Naz Foundation amplifying discussions on trans rights, marriage equality, and family dynamics.
This entry builds on Shiva Krish’s prior work in social-issue storytelling, including features on marginalised communities, and positions India alongside global south voices gaining traction at the Oscars.
It also follows in the footsteps of other Indian hopefuls in recent years, yet stands uniquely as a beacon for trans narratives, reshaping perceptions without diluting its intimate, community-rooted focus and reaching 275,000 online viewers through the “Path to Pride” initiative.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This Oscar qualification is more than a cinematic milestone; it exemplifies empathy as a quiet yet powerful revolution, where Valli’s boundless kindness and support for Srija cultivate harmony in the face of entrenched prejudice, perfectly embodying our unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, kindness, empathy, harmony, and coexistence.
By centring trans joy, love, and legal victories like Tamil Nadu’s pioneering marriage registration, the film dismantles stereotypes and urges society to foster inclusive spaces that nurture diverse identities, driving tangible social change through storytelling that bridges generational and cultural divides. It reminds us that positive transformation often starts within families, challenging us all to amplify underrepresented voices in media and policy.
