Indian Filmmaker Anuparna Roy Wins Best Director at Venice Film Festival

Last month, Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made waves across the country by becoming the first Indian to win the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Her second feature film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, which revolves around the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai, has earned her this prestigious accolade.

During her acceptance speech, the Bengal-born director expressed her gratitude, thanking her producers, cast, and crew for supporting a film that "didn't fit into easy boxes." She also paid tribute to the 80-year-old gaffer Debjit Banerjee, who worked on the film.

Bollywood superstar Arjun Kapoor took to social media to congratulate Anuparna on her historic win, praising her as a trailblazer for women filmmakers. Kapoor, who is currently gearing up for the release of No Entry 2, called Anuparna's achievement inspiring.

Songs of Forgotten Trees is said to be deeply personal for Anuparna, drawing from her own observations and memories of watching women navigate the challenges of life, friendship, and relationships in the bustling city of Mumbai. The film's focus on the silent resistance of these migrant women has been widely acclaimed.