Guwahati: Filmmaker Rima Das has received the Excellence in Directing Award from the New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) for her film Village Rockstars 2. The honour adds yet another international recognition to her remarkable body of work.
NYWIFT announced the award on December 29. It recognised Das among 11 filmmakers from across the world for their outstanding contribution to cinema. The organisation is one of the leading non-profits in the US entertainment industry and works to support women in film, television and digital media.
Reacting to the honour, Das called the recognition “deeply meaningful”. She said the award reaffirmed her belief that stories rooted in real Indian experiences can connect with audiences everywhere. She also described it as encouragement to continue building a more inclusive global cinema space.
Village Rockstars 2 is the sequel to her internationally acclaimed film Village Rockstars. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival 2024 and went on to win the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film.
Meanwhile, NYWIFT also honoured several other filmmakers this year. The list includes Suzannah Herbert (Natchez), Cherien Dabis (All That’s Left of You), Shonali Bose (A Fly on the Wall), Rachel Immaraj (An Unquiet Mind), Elena Neuman (Looking Up), Kerstin Karlhuber (After All), Lisa Cunningham (Me Period), Jackie Quinones (Miles Away), Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni (Cutting Through Rocks), and Rachel Israel (The Floaters).