Indian Director Anuparna Roy Wins Orizzonti Award at Venice Film Festival

Anuparna Roy, a 31-year-old Indian director, made history by becoming the first Indian filmmaker to win the prestigious Orizzonti Award for her debut film *Songs of Forgotten Trees* at the Venice Film Festival. Roy’s victory is particularly significant considering her modest roots in a tribal village in West Bengal, far removed from the cultural epicenter of Kolkata. Her journey into cinema was unconventional—starting with a job in a call center in Delhi, she eventually self-funded her debut short *Run to the River* and later convinced producer Ranjan Singh to support her feature film. *Songs of Forgotten Trees* tells the poignant story of two women from different backgrounds who form a deep bond in the urban maze of Mumbai, dealing with same-sex desire and struggles of survival. Despite no formal training, Roy chose an observational filming style, focusing on continuous takes to capture the authenticity of her characters’ daily lives. The film is deeply personal, with characters inspired by people from her own life, and Roy’s political views are evident in her work. At the Venice Film Festival, she also used her platform to speak out in support of the children of Gaza, donning a handloom saree designed to combine traditional Bengali motifs with the colors of the Palestinian flag. Her firm stance against commercialized, “sugar-coated” cinema indicates her commitment to portraying reality, even if it makes people uncomfortable.