On September 6, 2025, Anuparna Roy, a first-time filmmaker from Purulia, West Bengal, made cinematic history at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Her directorial debut, Songs of Forgotten Trees, earned her the Orizzonti Award for Best Director, making her the first Indian filmmaker to clinch this honour in the festival’s parallel Orizzonti sectio
A Film That Speaks in Silence
Songs of Forgotten Trees is a 77-minute Hindi drama that unfolds the delicate bond between two migrant women in Mumbai—Thooya, played by Naaz Shaikh, and Swetha, played by Sumi Baghel
Produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, with Anurag Kashyap presenting, the film captures quiet intimacy, yearning, and survival in a bustling cityscap
An Emotional Victory on a Grand Stage
Dressed in a white saree, Roy accepted her award during the closing ceremony, visibly moved. Describing the moment as “surreal,” she expressed heartfelt gratitude to the jury, her dedicated cast and crew, visionary producers, and Anurag Kashyap, who believed in her unconventional story Her acceptance speech resonated beyond cinema—it was both a dedication and a statement. “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,” she said
A Voice for Peace
With global crises looming large, Roy didn’t let the moment pass without addressing them. She used her platform to express solidarity with Palestinian children:
“Every child deserves peace, freedom, and liberation. Palestine is no exception. Even if it upsets my country, I must say it.”
Her words sparked both admiration and conversation, underlining the power of art as activism
Roots and Resolve: A Family’s Pride
Back home in Kulti, Asansol, Paschim Bardhaman district, her family is beaming with pride. Her parents, Brahmananda and Manisha Roy, once hesitant about her shift from a stable IT career to filmmaking, are now celebrating an achievement that once felt unimaginable As her father, a retired coal industry worker, shared, they “sent her to a modest school… and now we are the proudest parents in the world”
Meanwhile, her director colleague Sakyadeb Chowdhury praised her cinematic style: a master of long takes and minimalist editing, transforming resource limitations into fluid, poetic storytelling
Why It Matters
- Breaking New Ground: Roy’s achievement spots a beacon for Indian filmmakers in the global arthouse circuit.
- Celebrating Quiet Stories: Her film’s muted, human-scale narrative stood out in a festival often dominated by spectacle.
- Championing Women’s Voices: Her tribute to marginalized stories is both artistic and activist.
- A Hopeful Homecoming: A daughter’s daring leap inspires not just her family but a wider community.
Snapshot: Anuparna Roy’s Historic Win
| Element | Detail |
| Who | Anuparna Roy, a debut filmmaker from Purulia, West Bengal |
| What | Best Director, Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival |
| Film | Songs of Forgotten Trees |
| Significance | First Indian to win in this category |
| Emotional Highlights | Speech marked by humility, dedication, and an outward-looking message |
| Cultural Impact | Family pride, representation of women, solidarity with Palestine |
In a world where cinematic voices often echo the grand and flashy, Anuparna Roy’s quiet courage on the Venice stage shines all the brighter. Her win is more than an award—it’s a story of homegrown ambition, empathetic storytelling, and global conscience.
