82nd Venice Film Festival: India's Anuparna Roy makes history, wins Best Director for debut film

The 82nd Venice Film 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, Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made history by winning the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section for her debut feature, 'Songs of Forgotten Trees'. She is the first Indian director to receive this honour in the section, bringing international attention to Indian cinema.

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.

'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.

Reacting 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.