Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy etched her name in cinematic history at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, becoming the first Indian director to win the prestigious Best Director award in the festival’s Orizzonti Competition.
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She was honoured for her poignant film Songs of Forgotten Trees, which was presented at the festival by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
The film, the only Indian entry in this year’s Orizzonti section, tells the moving story of two migrant women navigating loneliness, survival, and fleeting moments of human connection. Its nuanced storytelling and quiet intensity won over the jury and placed Roy among the most celebrated voices of contemporary world cinema.
The award was announced during the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, who served as president of the Orizzonti jury. Stepping onto the stage in a graceful white saree, Roy accepted the honour with humility, calling the moment “surreal.” In her speech, she expressed gratitude to the jury, her producers, her cast, and Anurag Kashyap, whose support, she said, was invaluable to her journey.
With this milestone, Roy not only secures a place in Venice’s cinematic legacy but also signals the growing global recognition of Indian independent cinema. Songs of Forgotten Trees stands as a testament to her vision — a deeply human story resonating far beyond its borders.
