The Last Color, directed by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, named “Best Feature Film” at DCSAFF.
Bollywood actress and director Shabana Azmi was felicitated with Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions to the Indian cinema at the eighth DC South Asia Film Festival (DCSAFF), a three-day event that concluded on September 22.
Azmi headlined the opening night of the festival, where she screened Kaifinama, a documentary on the life and work of her legendary father Kaifi Azmi.
The Last Color, maiden directorial venture of celebrity chef and author Vikas Khanna, was named “Best Feature Film.”
The film, starring Neena Gupta, depicts the daily struggles for survival on the streets of Banaras. Gupta won the “Best Actor Female” award.
Brahmanand Singh won the “Best Director” award for Jhalki.
Indian American Danish Renzu’s The Illegal was named “Best Feature Film, Jury Mention.”
Here are the other award winners:
Best Feature Film, Audience Choice: The Illegal
Best Short Film: Dream One
Best Short, Jury Mention: The Internship
Best Short, Audience Choice: Forbidden Tikka Masala
Best Story/Script: Nirmal Anand ki Puppy
Best Actor Male: Ahmed Ali (Laal Kabootar)
Best Documentary, Audience Poll: Kaifinama
Prominent Indian American philanthropist Frank Islam delivered the keynote address at the award ceremony.
“In this audience, there are Indian Americans, Pakistani Americans, Bangladeshi Americans and other South Asian Americans — individuals of various religions and castes,” he said. “We are the proof that art and culture can transcend boundaries. They are proof that art can be a major force for unification.”
Islam praised the DCSAFF team for putting together another great edition of the festival. “This festival showcased the best of independent cinema from the subcontinent,” he said. “Our special thanks to all the people who have been long time supporters of DCSAFF. I applaud all of the people who participated in this festival and I thank them for their passion and commitment to this tremendous festival. This festival is instrumental in highlighting social causes and public awareness on arts and culture.”
DCSAFF 2019, held at the Montgomery College Rockville Campus’ Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, attracted a number of leading South Asian actors, filmmakers, technicians and writers. Besides features, the festival screened 18 short films and 3 documentaries.
The three-day festival showcased films from South Asian countries or by South Asians from around the world. “DCSAFF provides an open platform to bring about important social issues for conversation without any fear of repercussion or discrimination,” said Manoj Singh, Executive Director of the festival. We have screened movies about women’s issues, LGBTQ acceptance, corruption, and religious extremity, atrocity of caste system [and] human trafficking.”
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