2018 - Everyone is a Hero, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, has been selected as India's official entry to compete at the Oscars 2024 race in the Best International Feature Film category. The film, based on the devastating 2018 floods that rocked the state of Kerala, is a hyperlink thriller following people from all walks of life who were affected by the calamity and their resilience during tough times.

Reacting to the feat, Tovino Thomas, who played one of the leads in 2018, said, “Being chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars is truly an incredible recognition for our film. It’s not just a moment of pride for me as an actor , but for the entire team that poured their heart and soul into this project. 2018 is a reflection of the resilience and indomitable spirit of the people of Kerala in the face of one of the most devastating natural disasters of our time. Through the film, we aim to remind everyone that amidst the chaos and destruction, there is always a glimmer of hope, and it’s the human spirit that shines the brightest. This nomination serves as a shining example of our collective efforts, and I am hopeful that it will resonate with the international audience, just as it did with our own.”

2018, scripted by Jude and Akhil P Dharmajan, also starred Kunchako Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Aparna Balamurali, Kalaiyarasan, Indrans, Sudheesh, Gilu Joseph, Vinitha Koshy, Aju Varghese, Tanvi Ram, and Gauthami Nair.  Venu Kunnappilly, CK Padmakumar, and Anto Joseph jointly backed the film, which is one of the highest Malayalam grossers of all time.

2018 is only the fourth Malayalam film after Guru (1997), Adaminte Makan Abu (2011) and Jallikattu (2019) to be picked as India's official submission for the Academy Awards.