From Viral HuffPost Essay “Thank You, Cancer” to Awards Contender: Paper Flowers Launches Oscar Campaign After AFM 2025 Showcase

Los Angeles, CA — Paper Flowers, the acclaimed independent drama inspired by the life of Shalin Shah, is officially launching its 2025–26 awards campaign, with a focus on the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

Adapted from Shah’s private journal entries—words he never meant to share—the film traces the real-life journey of a young USC graduate and Peace Corps volunteer who turns a rare cancer diagnosis into a story of love, courage, and gratitude. 

In his final days, Shah’s girlfriend shared excerpts with Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at USC, who then enlisted Antonia Bloomberg (then a journalist at HuffPost) to publish them. The resulting viral essay, “Thank You, Cancer,” became the emotional foundation of Paper Flowers.

“Unlike most adaptations, this story comes straight from lived experience,” said producer Asit Vyas. “It’s raw, unfiltered, and profoundly human.”

Directed and written by Mary Krell-Oishi, Asit Vyas, and Mahesh Pailoor, the film stars Kapil Talwalkar, Olivia Liang, Karan Soni, Faran Tahir, Meera Simhan, and Tom Everett Scott. 

Paper Flowers will hold its Oscar-qualifying theatrical run at the Laemmle NoHo 7 from November 19–25, 2025, aligning with U.S. Gratitude Month and leading into Thanksgiving.

Championing the film’s independent spirit is Lela Meadow-Conner, President of Art House Convergence and curator of The Popcorn List, which spotlights standout indie features without U.S. distribution.

“Shalin’s words began as a private journal,” Vyas added. “Now they’re reaching hearts around the world.”

Official Website: www.paperflowersmovie.com
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_P2hZRXC5g