Mumbai: Renowned filmmaker Rima Das has won the International Feature Film Competition for Women Directors at the 42nd Internationales Frauen Film Fest Dortmund+Köln (IFFF) in Germany for her film Village Rockstars 2.
IFFF, Germany’s largest platform celebrating women in the film industry, showcases outstanding works across genres and styles.
Village Rockstars 2, a sequel to the National Award-winning indie film Village Rockstars (2017), continues to make waves internationally.
The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2024, where it clinched the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film.
It later had its Indian premiere at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in the South Asia Competition section and its European debut at the Berlinale International Film Festival in 2025.
The IFFF jury, which included acclaimed filmmaker Julie Dash, German director Yasemin Şamdereli, and Hei-rim Hwang, director of the Seoul International Women’s Film Festival, lauded Das for her exceptional visual storytelling.
“This award honours a woman who has cultivated her artistic voice independently, mastering the monumental task of portraying the nuanced realities of her characters with tenderness, precision, and courage over seven years,” the jury said in its citation.
Das, who took on multiple roles as producer, writer, cinematographer, and editor for the film, dedicated the honour to women storytellers globally.
“This award belongs to every woman who dares to tell honest and courageous stories. Through Village Rockstars 2, I wanted to celebrate my homeland and those who persevere against all odds to chase their dreams,” Das said.
Produced by Flying River Films in collaboration with Akanga Film Asia and Bad Rabbit Pictures Co. Ltd, Village Rockstars 2 features Bhanita Das, Basanti Das, Junumoni Boro, Boloram Das, and Manabendra Das in key roles.
Set in a serene Assamese village, the film chronicles the journey of a teenage girl navigating rural life while pursuing her passion for music.
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It is a heartfelt tale of resilience, self-discovery, and the enduring human spirit.
Rima Das, a two-time National Award-winning filmmaker, is celebrated for her deeply rooted, realistic storytelling.
Her debut film, Village Rockstars, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2018 and was India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2019.
