Filmmaker Anuparna Roy made history on the great stage of the Venice Film Festival in a night that completely changed the perception of Indian cinema around the world. With her lyrical masterpiece Songs of Forgotten Trees, she not only won the coveted Best Director award but also gave voice to stories that are often forgotten, silenced, or overshadowed. Her victory is more than a personal triumph—it is a resounding statement that Indian storytelling, rooted in its soil yet universal in its soul, can move the world.
Venice, Italy: Indian cinema has scripted a proud new chapter on the global stage as filmmaker Anuparna Roy clinched the prestigious Best Director Award at the 82nd Venice Film Festival for her evocative and poetic film, Songs of Forgotten Trees. The achievement is being hailed as a watershed moment, not only for Roy as an individual filmmaker but also for Indian independent cinema, which continues to assert its voice on international platforms.
The award was announced in the Orizzonti section of the festival, a competitive category that showcases world cinema’s most innovative voices. With this win, Roy becomes one of the very few Indian filmmakers to receive the honor, drawing comparisons with the works of stalwarts like Mira Nair and Satyajit Ray, who once carried Indian storytelling across continents.
The Moment of Triumph
When Roy’s name was announced by the jury chair, the glitzy evening at Venice’s famed Sala Grande theater burst into cheers. The director approached the platform in a modest manner and with tears in her eyes while wearing a basic handwoven sari.
“This award is dedicated to all women who have ever been told that their stories are not important enough.” And to my mentor, Anurag Kashyap, whose courage to break rules has given me the faith to tell mine,” Roy said in her acceptance speech, drawing a standing ovation from the audience.
Her words resonated deeply, particularly among young filmmakers in attendance who see her journey as proof that independent cinema, despite limited resources, can move mountains when backed by passion and persistence.
About Songs of Forgotten Trees
Through an introspective story set in rural Bengal, Roy’s award-winning film Songs of Forgotten Trees examines themes of memory, loss, and resiliency. It tells the story of a village where trees are believed to carry the unspoken stories of generations. As development threatens to erase these symbols of collective memory, a young woman fights to preserve not only her family’s legacy but also the intangible cultural soul of her community.
The movie isn’t a typical drama or a high-end production. Instead, it unfolds with meditative silences, raw landscapes, and haunting folk music that blends seamlessly with the rustling of trees and the whispers of memory. Critics at Venice described it as “a film that breathes poetry in every frame” and “a deeply rooted story that speaks to universal truths.”
A Journey of Persistence
For Anuparna Roy, the road to Venice was anything but easy. Born and raised in Kolkata, she studied literature before turning to filmmaking. In interviews, Roy has often admitted that she had no formal film school training. Instead, she learned by assisting independent directors and watching films from across the world at late-night screenings.
Her early short films struggled to find platforms in India, where mainstream cinema often overshadows experimental voices. Yet, she persisted. Songs of Forgotten Trees was developed over five years, funded through small grants, crowdfunding campaigns, and the unwavering support of friends who believed in her vision.
When the film was finally completed, many doubted its international appeal, but Roy submitted it to Venice with cautious optimism. Today, the same film has become a symbol of global recognition.
Mentorship and Gratitude to Anurag Kashyap
One of the most heartfelt moments of Roy’s acceptance speech came when she publicly thanked filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who has long been a champion of new voices in Indian cinema.
“Anurag taught me that fearlessness is the only way to create.” He reminded me that our truth, no matter how small, is worth telling. This award belongs as much to him as it does to me,” she said.
In her social media response, Kashyap hailed Roy’s triumph as “a historic win for Indian cinema” and her “unwavering spirit to tell stories that matter.”
Reactions from India and Beyond
The news of Roy’s triumph quickly spread across India, drawing congratulations from filmmakers, actors, and politicians alike. “My sincere congrats to Anuparna Roy on her historic victory at Venice,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. The world is introduced to the depth of India’s storytelling tradition through Songs of Forgotten Trees.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi called it “a proud moment for Indian cinema,” while fellow filmmaker Zoya Akhtar noted that Roy’s win would “open doors for a generation of young women storytellers.”
International critics, too, celebrated the win. The Hollywood Reporter described the film as “a lyrical masterpiece that defies borders,” while Variety noted that Roy’s unique cinematic language “bridges folklore and contemporary anxieties with breathtaking intimacy.”
The Venice Film Festival: A Stage of Legends
The Venice Film Festival, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious cinematic gatherings, has historically been a launchpad for visionary filmmakers. From Akira Kurosawa to Pedro Almodóvar, many masters of world cinema have received recognition here.
For an Indian filmmaker like Roy to win Best Director in the Orizzonti section is no small feat. It signals not only international acknowledgment but also positions her among a rare league of filmmakers whose artistry transcends cultural boundaries.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Cinema
Roy’s win also carries a larger symbolic significance: the triumph of a woman filmmaker in an industry still struggling with gender inequality. While Indian cinema has produced outstanding women directors like Aparna Sen, Deepa Mehta, and Mira Nair, opportunities remain limited.
Roy’s victory at Venice has increased the visibility of female storytellers in the world of film. Activists and film scholars in India hailed her victory as a moment of empowerment. “Anuparna has shattered yet another glass ceiling. She reminds us that women’s voices are not just valid—they are essential,” said Professor Nandini Mukherjee of Jadavpur University’s Film Studies Department.
The Film’s Global Impact
With its Venice victory, Songs of Forgotten Trees is expected to travel widely across the international festival circuit. Distributors from Europe and North America have already expressed interest in bringing the film to wider audiences.
Streaming giants are reportedly in talks for digital rights, which could make the film accessible to millions around the globe. Critics believe its universal themes—memory, heritage, and environmental preservation—will resonate far beyond India.
What’s Next for Roy
Roy is grounded even as she revels in her victory in Venice. In post-award interviews, she emphasized that her journey is just beginning.
“I don’t want this movie to be my only legacy. Whether or not they receive accolades, I want to continue sharing tales that are important to me,” she stated.
She hinted at her next project, which may revolve around migration and displacement—issues close to her heart given her own family’s history of partition.
A Landmark for Indian Independent Cinema
The victory of Anuparna Roy is also interpreted as a testament to the thriving independent film industry in India. In recent years, filmmakers like Rima Das (Village Rockstars), Payal Kapadia (A Night of Knowing Nothing), and Chaitanya Tamhane (Court) have won accolades abroad. Roy’s Venice victory cements India’s position as a hub for bold, experimental storytelling.
“Independent Indian cinema has finally found its place at the world’s table,” said film critic Anupama Chopra. “Anuparna’s win tells us that the world is ready to listen if we are ready to speak authentically.”
Closing Reflections
As the lights dimmed on Venice’s red carpet and cameras captured Roy holding her gleaming trophy, it was clear that a new era for Indian cinema had dawned. Her film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, may be rooted in the soil of Bengal, but its branches stretch across the globe, touching hearts and inspiring dreams.
For millions of aspiring filmmakers—especially women and those from modest backgrounds—Anuparna Roy’s journey is more than a personal victory. It is a reminder that stories born from courage and persistence can break boundaries, travel across oceans, and echo in the world’s most prestigious halls of art.
In her own words: “Cinema is not about how big your canvas is. It’s about whether you are brave enough to paint with the colors of truth.”
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