March 10, 2025

Oscar nominated movies reimagined: Part II

What if 2025’s best picture nominees were about the development sector instead?

2 min read

1. A Complete Unknown

A mysterious consultant sweeps into a struggling nonprofit, promising revolutionary change. However, his qualifications and methods remain indecipherable. Tensions rise and chaos ensues as the staff tries to implement the consultant’s cryptic “strategies.” Is he a misunderstood genius or simply faking it till he makes it?

2. I’m Still Here

A mid-level programme officer refuses to leave their role after being repeatedly passed over for a promised promotion. Determined to stay until they get what they’re owed, they haunt the office passive-aggressively. They crash meetings to remind everyone of their “years of loyal service” and drop hints about leadership failures. As they endanger their chances of a promotion further, they wonder whether their determination 

3. The Substance

A scandal erupts when a nonprofit’s well-funded programme is found to be based on a somewhat exaggerated pilot study. As questions arise, the organisation scrambles to find ‘the substance’ behind its glowing storytelling. 

4. Conclave

As the keynote speaker for a high-profile global conference drops out less than two weeks from the event, the organisers must vote on a replacement. Power struggles and petty rivalries come to light as they attempt to select the next best white man to take on the mantle. 

5. The Brutalist

A notoriously blunt and unapologetic nonprofit leader must reckon with the repercussions of him constantly diminishing his team’s efforts. Although he somehow delivers results, his harsh critiques have dropped company morale to a brutal new low. 

6. Wicked

Featuring hit songs such as “Defying Charity”, this musical chronicles the rivalry between two development organisations—the founders of which were once best friends—as they vie for the attention of a prominent international funder.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Derrek Xavier-Image
Derrek Xavier

Derrek Xavier is an editorial associate at IDR, where he is responsible for writing, editing, and publishing content. He previously worked in editorial positions at Cactus Communications and Firstpost. He holds an MA in Media Studies from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

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