At the 82nd Venice Film Festival, Indian cinema celebrated a historic achievement as director Anuparna Roy won the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section for her debut film, Songs of Forgotten Trees. The movie, featuring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, tells the story of two women whose lives are closely intertwined in Mumbai. Roy dedicated her award to women everywhere, calling it a tribute to voices often overlooked in cinema and society.
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Anuparna Roy Creates History
Songs of Forgotten Trees earned praise for its storytelling and direction. Presented by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, the award is a significant step for gender representation in global cinema. The festival also awarded the Golden Lion to the American indie Father Mother Sister Brother, while The Voice of Hind Rajab received a 22-minute standing ovation. Roy’s achievement highlights the growing recognition of Indian filmmakers on the international stage.
‘Songs Of Forgotten Trees’ director Anuparna Roy speaks out for Palestine during her acceptance speech for Best Director in the Horizons section of the #VeniceFilmFestival: “I might upset my country but it doesn’t matter to me anymore” pic.twitter.com/HrSZEI0wCO
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 6, 2025
