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Adam J. Graves

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Adam J. Graves
Born
U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania (Ph.D.)
Occupation(s)Filmmaker, Philosopher, Author
Years active2021–present
SpouseSuchitra Mattai

Adam J. Graves is an American filmmaker and philosopher.[1][2] His short film Anuja earned him an Academy Award nomination.[3]

Early life and education

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Graves studied at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in South Asia Regional Studies in 2001, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy of religion in August 2007.[4] He also spent time as a visiting student at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, in 1997.[5]

Career

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Graves is full Professor of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he founded the Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry (Dphi), a public humanities center focusing on the intersection of philosophy, film, literature, and the arts.[2] His academic work has been presented at conferences in numerous countries, including France, Germany, Russia, and South Africa.[4] He also taught at the University of Pennsylvania and in the University of Virginia's Semester at Sea program.[2]

Graves wrote and directed his first short film, Cycle Vérité, which premiered at the Denver Film Festival in 2021.[6] In 2024, his short film Anuja was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2025. His films tend to explore larger philosophical and socio-ethical issues within the context of more intimate familial relationships.[7]

Philosophical Contributions

Graves' philosophical contributions explore themes in phenomenology, the philosophy of religion, and hermeneutics, with particular attention to the nature of agency, moral responsibility, and narrative selfhood.[citation needed] He is known for[citation needed] his work on Paul Ricœur and the phenomenology of revelation, as well as for developing a normative theory of action, which conceives of freedom as an “achievement of narrative self-understanding.”[8] He has said that his philosophical thought fuels his work as a filmmaker.[1]

Personal Life

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Graves is married to multidisciplinary contemporary artist Suchitra Mattai.[9]

Filmography

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Year Title Contribution Note
2021 Cycle Vérité Director and writer Short film
2024 Anuja Director, writer and editor Short film

Publications

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  • 2021 – The Phenomenology of Revelation in Heidegger, Marion, and Ricoeur ISBN 978-1-7936405-7-4

Awards and nominations

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Year Result Award Category Work Ref.
2024 Won Montclair Film Festival Audience Award Short Film Anuja [10]
Won Foyle Film Festival Best International Short Film [11]
Won HollyShorts Film Festival Best Live Action [12]
Won New York Shorts International Film Festival Grand Prize
2025 Pending Academy Awards Best Live Action Short Film [13]

References

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  1. ^ a b Jackson, Destiny (2025-02-12). "'Anuja' Director Adam J. Graves On Creating An Empathetic Tale Of Two Sisters In Oscar-Nominated Short". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  2. ^ a b c "Dr. Adam Graves". msudenver.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-07.[non-primary source needed]
  3. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-01-14). "Netflix Acquires 'Anuja,' Oscar-Shortlisted Short Film Backed by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Mindy Kaling and Guneet Monga Kapoor". Variety. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  4. ^ a b "Adam Graves". red.msudenver.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-07.[non-primary source needed]
  5. ^ "Adam J. Graves shares inspiration behind Anuja, a Tale of sisterhood and resilience". Times of India. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  6. ^ "Cycle Vérité". denverfilmfestival.eventive.org. Retrieved 2025-02-07.[non-primary source needed]
  7. ^ Stephens, Dan (2024-10-24). "Interview: Adam J. Graves On "Anuja": Bridging Philosophy And Film To Tackle Child Labour". top10films.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-02-07.[failed verification]
  8. ^ Graves, Adam (2018-01-01). "Narration and the Normative Theory of Freedom: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives". researchgate.net. Retrieved 2025-02-07.[non-primary source needed]
  9. ^ Weinberg, Justin (2025-01-24). "Philosopher & Artist Couple's Film Nominated for an Oscar". dailynous.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  10. ^ "Announcing The 2024 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners!". montclairfilm.org. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  11. ^ "Foyle Film Festival's Light in Motion Competition Award Winners 2024 Announced at Closing Night Gala". foylefilmfestival.org. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  12. ^ "Announcing the 2024 HollyShorts Award Winners". hollyshorts.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  13. ^ "Nominees". oscars.org. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
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