The 82nd Venice Film Festival concluded with Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy making history, winning Best Director for her debut Songs of Forgotten Trees, while American indie Father Mother Sister Brother took home the Golden Lion for Best Film. Out of the 4,580 films submitted, only 21 were selected for the main category. Roy’s feature was among the 19 in the Orizzonti category.
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival was held from August 27 to September 6 in Italy. Among the 19 films showcased in the Horizons (Orizzonti) category was the one by Anuparna Roy, Song of Forgotten Trees.
The Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic showcases, concluded on Saturday with its awards ceremony, celebrating the best in global filmmaking. This year, Anuparna Roy made history by winning the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section for her debut feature.
In a surprising turn at the festival, American indie film Father Mother Sister Brother claimed the coveted Golden Lion for Best Film, surpassing the heavily favoured The Voice of Hind Rajab.
The latter, a powerful narrative exploring the Gaza crisis, received a 22-minute standing ovation from the audience but narrowly missed out on the top prize.
Anuparna Roy is the first Indian director to receive this honour in the section, bringing international attention to Indian cinema. Scripting history on the global platform, Roy became the first Indian to win the Best Director Award in the category.
The Orizzonti category encourages new cinema, debut work, young talent, indie films, and lesser-known names that have the power to leave a huge impact. Being the only Indian film in the category, Roy described the winning moment as “surreal” for her film, Song of Forgotten Trees.
Anupurna Roy is a filmmaker from Narayanpur, a village in West Bengal’s Purulia district. She graduated with a degree in British English Literature from Burdwan University. Before entering filmmaking, she worked in corporate jobs in Delhi and Mumbai, including as an IT sales executive. Driven by a strong passion for cinema, she pursued a diploma in acting from Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares Institute and participated in acting workshops in Mumbai.
She debuted her filmmaking career as an assistant director on a short film, Run to the River, in 2023. Song of Forgotten Trees was her first feature film, a multi-lingual exploration of two women navigating their intertwined struggles in Mumbai.
In her winning speech, Roy thanked the cast, Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, and Anurag Kashyap for his support on the film. “I want to thank my DoP, the 80-year-old gaffer Debjit Banerjee,” she added. Additionally, Roy also took a moment to speak about Palestine and the ongoing sufferings. “Every child deserves peace, freedom, and liberation, and Palestine is no exception,” she said, adding, “even if it upsets my country, it’s what I must say.”
Songs of Forgotten Trees, the only Indian entry in the Orizzonti section this year, stars Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel and explores the intertwined lives of two women in Mumbai. Produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, the film received widespread acclaim for its storytelling and Roy’s assured direction.
When asked to react to her win, Anuparna Roy dedicated the award to women globally, saying, “This film is a tribute to every woman who’s ever been silenced, overlooked, or underestimated. May this win inspire more voices, more stories, and more power for women in cinema and beyond.” The award, presented by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, underscores a step forward for gender representation in international cinema.
The festival celebrated both veteran and emerging filmmakers, highlighting diverse narratives and cinematic excellence. Roy’s win signals a shifting landscape in global cinema that embraces new voices and sets a precedent for Indian filmmakers seeking recognition on international platforms.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival concluded on a high note, showcasing the richness of global storytelling and cementing Anuparna Roy’s win as a landmark moment for Indian cinema on the world stage.
Songs of Forgotten Trees explores the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai as they navigate loneliness, survival, and fleeting bonds of companionship.
On receiving the award, Anuparna, in her speech, described the film as “a deeply personal journey, inspired by stories around me.” At the closing ceremony in Venice, she accepted the award dressed in a white saree. Opening up about the big win, the director called the recognition “surreal.” She also thanked the jury, her cast, producers, and Kashyap for supporting her vision.
The award was presented by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, who headed this year’s Orizzonti jury. The Venice festival this year saw major premieres from global heavyweights including Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, and Yorgos Lanthimos.
In such a stellar line-up, Roy’s victory stood out as a beacon of hope for Indian filmmakers seeking a wider global platform. The film’s recognition among a strong line-up highlights India’s narratives resonating on a global stage.
