MUMBAI, Nov. 18, 2025: Acclaimed filmmaker Shadab Khan’s Documentary Feature, I Am No Queen, has officially cemented its place in the 98th Academy Awards Documentary Feature race, marking a definitive shift in how powerful, independent cinema finds global recognition. Far from being a state-sponsored submission, this entry is a victory for transnational filmmaking, driven by compelling subject matter and the dedicated efforts of its collaborative team.
The film is currently featured in the Academy Screening Room, a privilege earned by meeting stringent qualification criteria for the Documentary Feature category, making it accessible to voting members of the Documentary Branch.
The remarkable journey of I Am No Queen is a testament to the power of independent vision. The credit for navigating the complex Oscar landscape and achieving this milestone belongs to Shadab Khan’s dedicated Indian-origin NRI collaborators and producers, Deep Basi and Minu Basi. Their success proves that extraordinary films can reach the pinnacle of global recognition through sheer artistic merit and collaborative spirit, transcending the traditional pathways of country-specific nominations.
I Am No Queen has moved beyond mere critical praise to create verifiable real-world change. Its unflinching examination of identity, migration, and resilience, based on the struggles of students moving from the third world to the first world, resonated so deeply that it directly contributed to meaningful policy reforms for international students in Canada.
This unprecedented impact garnered the attention of senior Canadian officials, who personally recommended the documentary as a potential Oscar contender. The film’s presence in the awards race is therefore not the result of a national committee vote, but a direct response to its social resonance and ability to provoke governmental action, a true demonstration of art as advocacy.
Shadab Khan is celebrated for his raw emotional storytelling and commitment to merging art with social impact. His debut film as a writer–director was BA Pass 2, and across four of his films he has won a total of 52 international awards in the Best Feature Film category. His distinguished filmography, which includes X or Y (27 international awards) and Rabia and Olivia (13 global awards), showcases a filmmaker whose reputation and influence are entirely self-built.
This latest achievement with I Am No Queen reinforces Khan’s standing as a globally acclaimed filmmaker whose unique transition from a decade-long modeling career informs his strong visual sensibility, discipline, and sharp cinematic language.
Shadab Khan on the film’s message “I am truly honored to have I Am No Queen featured in the Academy Screening Room. The film is based on the struggles of a student from a third-world country who travels to a first-world nation in search of dignity, opportunity, and survival. Its success is a message that independent voices, fueled by collaborative passion, can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest studio features. We humbly seek the support of the Academy and the public”
