Indian Director Anuparna Roy Wins Venice Orizzonti Award

Kannada film "Kantara," directed by Rishab Shetty, became a cultural phenomenon after its 2022 release, blending folklore and spirituality to explore themes of land, faith, and the human-nature relationship, earning both critical acclaim and box office success. The film's authentic portrayal of traditional rituals and rural conflicts resonated widely, appealing to both rural and urban audiences. Meanwhile, Anuparna Roy, a director from a tribal village in West Bengal, made history at the 2025 Venice Film Festival by winning the Orizzonti Award for her debut film "Songs of Forgotten Trees," making her the first Indian to win in this category devoted to new voices in independent cinema. Roy's film, set in Mumbai, explores the lives of two women and reflects her commitment to representing real-world issues through cinema. Her journey from a call-center job to acclaimed filmmaker was marked by self-funding and bold networking, including securing support from producers and well-known director Anurag Kashyap. Roy plans to continue her storytelling with sequels while maintaining a focus on authentic, socially relevant narratives.