Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy has brought glory to Indian cinema by winning the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. Her film Songs of Forgotten Trees was the only Indian entry in this category, which focuses on new voices and independent cinema worldwide.
Songs of Forgotten Trees narrates the poignant story of two migrant women navigating survival, resilience, and identity in Mumbai. The award was presented by Julia Ducournau, acclaimed French director and president of the Orizzonti jury.
On the global stage, several other filmmakers and actors were also recognized. Veteran American director Jim Jarmusch bagged the festival’s highest honor, the Golden Lion for Best Film, for Father Mother Sister Brother, a multi-city exploration of family bonds and generational conflicts. The Silver Lion went to The Voice of Hind Rajab, a powerful narrative by Tunisia’s Kaouther Ben Hania, based on the tragic real-life story of a Palestinian girl killed during the Gaza war.
In acting honors, Toni Servillo won Best Actor for portraying a weary president in Paolo Sorrentino’s Italian drama La Grazia, while Chinese star Xin Zhilei earned Best Actress for her moving role in The Sun Rises On Us All.
The main competition also saw Benny Safdie awarded Best Director for The Smashing Machine, and Italian filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi received a Special Jury Prize for his monochrome documentary Below the Clouds.
Anuparna Roy’s win marks a significant achievement for Indian independent cinema, further strengthening India’s presence in the global film festival circuit.
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