Anuparna Roy's recent triumph at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival is a story of dreams realized against the odds. The Indian filmmaker, born on May 9, 1994, has won the Best Director award in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section for her debut feature film, Songs of Forgotten Trees. This achievement marks a significant milestone, not only for Roy but also for Indian cinema on the global stage. The Orizzonti section shines a spotlight on new and indie films, making Roy's win all the more remarkable.

Songs of Forgotten Trees tells the poignant story of two migrant women in Mumbai who find an unlikely connection despite their differing backgrounds. Roy's film, clocking in at 77 minutes, is described as being "drenched in memories of times past and friends lost". Without big studio backing, expensive sets, or star power, the film was made through sheer grit, collaboration, and creative passion.

Roy's journey to the Venice Film Festival is as compelling as her film. Raised in Narayanpur, a village in the Purulia district of West Bengal, she comes from a non-filmy background. Her parents, Brahmananda and Manisha Roy, initially had reservations about her entering the film industry. Anuparna pursued an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Kulti College under Burdwan University and later studied mass communications. Before dedicating herself to filmmaking, she worked in a call center in Delhi and as an IT sales executive in Mumbai.

In 2023, Roy took her first steps into the film world as an assistant director in Run to the River, marking the beginning of her cinematic journey. By early 2022, Roy started writing Songs of Forgotten Trees. Speaking about finding an apartment in Mumbai, Roy decided to make the film and it took a year to figure out if it would be feasible to shoot in the residential society. Overcoming initial skepticism from her family and community, she left a stable IT job to pursue her filmmaking dreams in Mumbai.

Upon receiving the award, the 29-year-old filmmaker addressed the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, emphasizing the need to stand by Palestine and advocating for peace, freedom, and liberation for all children.

Anuparna Roy's win places her among a distinguished group of Indian filmmakers who have been recognized at the Venice Film Festival, including Satyajit Ray, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Mira Nair, and Chaitanya Tamhane. She is also among other Indian women who have recently made their mark in international film, such as Payal Kapadia, Shuchi Talati, Varsha Bharath and Diwa Shah.

Roy acknowledges the responsibility that comes with this recognition. She recognizes that her every step forward will be closely watched and feels both nervous and excited about the future. The validation her film received from the Venice audience was encouraging, demonstrating that her story resonated across geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.