India’s Anuparna Roy Wins Top Prize at Venice Film Festival

Indian Director Anuparna Roy Makes History with Venice Film Festival Best Director Win.The 82nd Venice Film Festival concluded on September 6th, 2025. The awards ceremony celebrated global cinematic talent. Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy created a historic moment with a major win.She won the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section. Her film is titled ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’. This marks a significant achievement for Indian cinema on the world stage.

Surprise Victory as Gaza Documentary Loses Top Prize

Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ won the Golden Lion for best film. This was an unexpected outcome for many festival observers. The favorite to win was the Gaza crisis documentary ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’.According to Reuters, the documentary had received a massive 22-minute standing ovation. It ultimately secured the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize instead. The result surprised critics and attendees alike.Benny Safdie won Best Director in the main competition for ‘The Smashing Machine’. The acting awards went to China’s Xin Zhilei and Italy’s Toni Servillo. The festival showcased a diverse range of powerful stories.

Global Recognition for Indian Cinema at Prestigious Festival

Anuparna Roy’s win is a landmark for India. Her film was the sole Indian entry in the entire festival lineup. This victory highlights the growing impact of Indian independent filmmakers.The Orizzonti section focuses on innovative films and new trends in cinema. Roy’s triumph in this category underscores the film’s artistic merit. It brings international attention to India’s vibrant film industry beyond Bollywood.This recognition opens new doors for Indian storytellers at major global festivals. It proves the universal appeal of compelling narratives from the region.

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Anuparna Roy’s Venice Film Festival win is a testament to powerful storytelling. It signals a new chapter for Indian cinema’s global reach. This historic moment will inspire filmmakers worldwide.

Thought you’d like to know-

Who is Anuparna Roy?

Anuparna Roy is an Indian filmmaker. She just won the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival. Her winning film is called ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’.

Which film won the top prize at Venice?

Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ won the Golden Lion. It was a surprise win over the favored documentary. The documentary was about the Gaza crisis.

What is the Orizzonti section?

Orizzonti means Horizons in English. It is a section of the Venice Film Festival. It focuses on cutting-edge and innovative cinema from around the world.

Why is this win important for India?

This is the first time an Indian director has won this award. It brings global recognition to India’s independent film scene. It showcases talent beyond the mainstream industry.

Did any other Indian films feature at the festival?

‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ was the only Indian film in contention. It was selected for the Orizzonti section. Its director’s win was the country’s sole award.