Anuparna Roy Wins Best Director in Orizzonti Section at Venice Film Festival

Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy has won the Best Director award in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. The Orizzonti section is dedicated to showcasing new and independent films from across the globe.

Award-Winning Film: Songs of Forgotten Trees

Her film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, was the only Indian entry in this category. The story follows the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai, exploring resilience, identity, and belonging. The award was announced by Julia Ducournau, president of the Orizzonti jury.

Global Honors at Venice

• Golden Lion (Best Film): Father Mother Sister Brother by veteran U.S. director Jim Jarmusch, a moving exploration of family dynamics across New Jersey, Dublin, and Paris.
• Silver Lion (Runner-up): The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisia’s Kaouther Ben Hania, based on the real story of a Palestinian girl killed during the Gaza war.
• Best Actor: Toni Servillo for his role as a weary president in Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia.
• Best Actress: Chinese star Xin Zhilei for her performance in The Sun Rises On Us All.
• Best Director (Main Competition): Benny Safdie for The Smashing Machine.
• Special Jury Prize: Italian filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi for his black-and-white documentary Below the Clouds.