Venice, Italy – Debutant filmmaker Anuparna Roy has pasted her name in global cinema history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Orizzonti Award for Best Director at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Her feature film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, presented by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, was chosen from 18 international entries for its strikingly original narrative and emotional depth.

The film, starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, explores the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai one an aspiring actress surviving partly through sex work, the other a call-center worker. Their shared home gradually becomes a space of silent solidarity and resilience. Produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, Ranjan Singh, and Kashyap, the project has been hailed for amplifying marginalized voices with rare sensitivity.

Accepting the award, Roy described the recognition as “surreal”, thanking her team, cast, and Kashyap for his support. Dressed in a sari, she said it carried her “roots and resilience” from Purulia, West Bengal, where she was born. Roy, who once worked in the IT industry before switching careers to filmmaking, acknowledged her family’s initial hesitation but noted their immense pride in her achievement.

In a powerful moment on stage, Roy also used her platform to express solidarity with children in Gaza. “Every child deserves peace, freedom and liberation, and Palestine is no exception,” she said, adding that she did not seek applause for the statement but viewed it as her responsibility as an artist.

Her win is being celebrated across India, not only as a milestone for Indian cinema on the global stage but also as an inspiration for women pursuing unconventional paths in storytelling.