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Anuparna Roy becomes first Indian to win Best Director at Venice Film Festival
Roy won the award in the Orizzonti section for Songs of Forgotten Trees.
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Pranavi Sharma - Mon, 08, Sep 2025
- 03:34 EDT
- 110
Anuparna Roy. / Instagram
Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made history at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival by winning the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section for her film Songs of Forgotten Trees.
She is the first Indian filmmaker to receive this recognition in the category, which focuses on new trends in cinema, highlighting debut works, young talents, and independent films. The film was also the only Indian entry selected for the competition.
The award was announced by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, who headed the Orizzonti jury. Roy, dressed in a white saree, accepted the award on stage. Calling the moment “surreal,” she thanked the jury, her cast, and the crew. “I want to thank Anurag Kashyap, my producers, the cast, the crew, and everyone who stood by a film that didn’t fit into easy boxes. Each one there in my hometown, in my country, I want to dedicate this award to them,” Roy said.
She also expressed gratitude to her collaborators. “I want to thank Celluloid Films for showing faith in the film. I want to thank my DoP, the 80-year-old gaffer Debjit Banerjee… each one of you was amazing,” she added.
On stage, Roy used the platform to address global concerns, drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. “Every child deserves peace, freedom, and liberation, and Palestine is no exception,” she said. “Even if it upsets my country, it’s what I must say.”
Songs of Forgotten Trees follows the story of two migrant women in Mumbai, Thooya, played by Naaz Shaikh, and Swetha, played by Sumi Baghel. Roy has described the narrative as deeply personal, inspired by her memories and observations of women navigating urban life, friendship, and resistance. The film was produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap presenting the project.
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