Odiya film Kalira Atita (Yesterday's Past) has made it into the Oscar race in the general entry category for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and other categories.

Directed by Nila Madhab Panda, the film is about the disappearing villages of India's eastern coastline in Odisha because of climate change and rising sea levels. It has been made available at the Academy Screening Room and will be viewed by members of the academy for votes and nominations. 

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

Nila has previously directed films like I am Kalam, Kadwi Hawa, and Halkaa.