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Anuparna Roy Wins Best Asian Film Award at Venice
Anuparna Roy is a filmmaker who made a movie called Lovers in the Blue Night.
The movie won the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the Venice Film Festival.
It competed in a section called Orizzonti.
The story is set in Mumbai and focuses on people whose lives are often overlooked.
The jury liked how gently and carefully the movie showed migrant workers and other marginalized people.
It also explores subjects such as poverty, class, gender and displacement.
Roy said the film was personal to her.
This is her second recognition at Venice after winning Best Director in 2025 for her first film.
Anuparna Roy won the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the Venice Film Festival.
The award recognized her second feature, Lovers in the Blue Night, which competed in the Orizzonti section.
The jury praised the film’s sensitive portrayal of migrant workers and marginalized lives in Mumbai.
The film explores displacement, urban survival, hidden desire, gender, poverty and class.
Roy previously won Venice’s Best Director award for her debut film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, in 2025.
- Who
- Filmmaker Anuparna Roy won the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film.
- What
- Her film Lovers in the Blue Night received the award.
- Where
- The award was presented at the Venice Film Festival, where the film competed in the Orizzonti section.
- When
- The article does not specify the date of the award; Roy’s previous Best Director award was in 2025.
- Why
- The jury cited the film’s sensitive portrayal of marginalized lives and its exploration of displacement, urban survival, hidden desire, gender, poverty and class.
Key facts
- Award
- NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film
- Film
- Lovers in the Blue Night
- Director
- Anuparna Roy
- Festival section
- Orizzonti
- Setting
- Mumbai
- Previous Venice recognition
- Best Director in 2025 for Songs of Forgotten Trees
- Competition
- The film competed against 14 other Orizzonti titles
Quotes
Anuparna Roy
Filmmaker and director of Lovers in the Blue Night
“An award like this is deeply meaningful because it recognises not just a film, but the sensitivity, courage and conviction. Lovers in the Blue Night asks us to look closely at lives that are often pushed to the margins, and to recognise the humanity, desire and dignity within them.”
telegraphindia.com
“I wanted to approach them with tenderness, dignity and honesty. To receive this recognition at Venice, a year after my debut was awarded here, is deeply moving. I’m grateful the film has found a space with the audience and jury.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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