Oscar® Nominated Live-Action Short “Don’t Be Late, Myra” by Afia Nathaniel at 98th Academy Awards®

Los Angeles, CA (September 19, 2025). The gripping short film Don’t Be Late, Myra has officially qualified for the 98th Academy Awards®. This nominbation marks a milestone in Afia Nathaniel‘s return to telling stories from Pakistan. After her acclaimed debut feature Dukhtar (Daughter) at Toronto in 2014.

Synopsis: Set against the bustling streets of Lahore, the film follows 10-year-old Myra (Innayah Umer). Who, after missing her school van, is forced to walk home alone. She navigates harassment and menace on her way. Myra faces a quiet, but escalating danger that exposes the vulnerabilities children endure in public spaces.

The live-actionshort has a urgent pacing and raw emotional undercurrent. Don’t Be Late, Myra is a survival thriller. Yet it holds an unflinching commentary on the silence surrounding child harassment in Pakistan and beyond.

Deeply personal in its origins, the film draws on Nathaniel’s own childhood experiences. Her perspective as a survivor of assault. By transforming trauma into urgent art, she brings visibility to an issue often silenced by patriarchy. Sparking essential conversations about children’s safety and the cultural taboos that endanger them.

The Official Trailer for “Don’t be late, Myra” Directed by Afia Nathaniel (Dukhtar)

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Since its world premiere, Don’t Be Late, Myra has gained significant recognition across the international festival circuit. The film wins Best Film at the Bergen International Film Festival of NJ. Best Short Film at the Montreal International Film Festival. The Best Long Short – Tongues on Fire Flame Award at the UK Asian Film Festival, among others. It also earned the Audience Award for Best International Short Film at the WOW Wales One World Film Festival. Underscoring the film’s ability to resonate with both juries and audiences worldwide. With additional wins including honors at the Big Apple Film Festival, California Women’s Film Festival, and DC Independent Film Festival.

Nathaniel’s work continues its bold vision and powerful storytelling. Don’t Be Late Myra is shot on location in Lahore with a local cast and crew. The film’s authenticity heightens its emotional impact, grounding its urgency in real spaces and lived experience.

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About Afia Nathaniel
Pakistani-American filmmaker Afia Nathaniel has established herself as a bold and uncompromising storyteller. Her debut feature is Dukhtar (Toronto, 2014). Dukhtar is Pakistan’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards®. It hit screens across 20 countries to widespread critical acclaim. She later directed an episode of Chicago Med (NBCU Female Forward). Afia has become the first Pakistani-American female director hired by a US network studio for a one-hour drama.

With Don’t Be Late, Myra, Nathaniel continues her mission of crafting deeply resonant, socially urgent films. These films fuse personal storytelling with larger cultural critique. Its entry into the 98th Academy Awards® race highlights Afia’s resilience as a filmmaker. One transforming silence into action, using the power of cinema to confront taboos and inspire change.

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