“Boong” Wins Top Honours at the 13th Indo German Film Week in Berlin
Independent Indian Cinema Shines at Babylon Kino Alongside Vibrant
Cultural Exchange.
The 13th Indo German Film Week, held from July 5 to 14, 2025, at the
iconic Babylon Kino, Berlin, came to a vibrant close, showcasing a
powerful blend of Indian independent films and a colourful array of cultural
activities. The festival drew enthusiastic audiences, filmmakers, artists, and
cinephiles from across Germany and beyond, reinforcing its role as a leading
platform for cross-cultural cinematic engagement.
The Best Film Award was presented to the Manipuri feature “Boong”, a
deeply resonant portrayal of childhood in a conflict zone. The young actors
Gugun Kipgen and Angom Sanamtum received the Best Child Artist
Award for their sensitive and impactful performances.
The Hindi feature “Nukkad Natak” emerged as one of the festival’s most
lauded films, securing Best Debut Film, Best Film on Social Impact, and
Best Actress for Molshri, who delivered a powerful performance marked by
authenticity and emotional depth.
Vikram Chatterjee was honoured with Best Actor for his performance in
the Bengali film “Durgapur Junction”, Among the fiction features, two
films received Special Jury Mentions for their exceptional cinematic language and narrative depth. “The Umesh Chronicles”, directed by Pooja Kaul, was commended for its refined Indian aesthetic, lyrical storytelling, and a visual rhythm that evokes memory and cultural identity with subtle brilliance. Similarly, the Bengali film “Ahana”, directed by Promita Bhowmik, was recognized for its emotionally resonant narrative,
striking cinematography, and the way it gracefully captures a woman’s inner
world through poetic imagery and layered storytelling. Both films stood out
for their commitment to craft and for elevating introspective storytelling in
Indian independent cinema.
“Sarala Virala”, directed by Ere Gowda, won Best Educational
Documentary, and “11:53” was named Best Short Film for its taut,
cinematic storytelling. The Best Poster Design award went to “Dilli Dark”
for its bold and visually arresting presentation.
Stephan Ottenbruch, Festival Director of the Indo German Film Week,
reflected on the festival’s growing significance over the years. He remarked,
“Over the last 13 editions, this festival has become more than just a film
showcase. It has evolved into a platform for intercultural dialogue, artistic
discovery, and storytelling that transcends borders.
We are proud that Berlin, and especially the historic Babylon Kino, serves as the meeting point for Indian and German voices to come together and celebrate cinema in its purest form.”He also announced that the 14th edition of the Indo German Film Week
will take place from July 3 to 14, 2026, continuing its tradition of
excellence at Babylon Kino, Berlin.
In parallel with the cinematic programme, the Colors of India initiative —
curated by Ms. Anjana Singh — infused the festival with vibrant
performances and traditional Indian art forms. Over 150 Indian artists
participated during the festival days, offering audiences a unique opportunity
to witness classical and folk dances, musical concerts, theatre, and
interactive cultural workshops.
Speaking about the experience, Ms. Anjana Singh stated, “We envisioned a
cultural confluence — where the heartbeat of India could be felt not just on
screen, but in the spaces around it. Through every movement, every
rhythm, and every performance, the artists created a living bridge between
India and Germany. It wasn’t merely a showcase — it was an invitation to
experience the soul of India in Berlin.” MN Gujar, Programmer of the Indo German Film Week, unveiled an important forward-looking initiative aimed at building deeper creative collaborations between Indian filmmakers and European film professionals.
In his statement, he said, “Starting this year, we will guide up to 25 Indian
fiction and documentary projects through the entire process of international
development — from conceptualization and story building to festival
strategies and connecting with European co-producers. This initiative reflects
our commitment to nurturing bold and independent voices from India and
helping them find global platforms.”
This year, more than 50 fiction features, short films, and
documentaries were screened. The Opening Film was the critically
acclaimed “Nukkad Naatak”, and the Closing Film was “My Melbourne”,
a collaborative anthology directed by Rima Das, Kabir Khan, Onir, and
Imtiaz Ali.
Audiences also enjoyed box-office hits and regional gems like “Jaaran” and
“Gulkand” (Marathi), “Jai Mata Ji – Let’s Rock” (Gujarati), and beloved
Indian classics like “Vikram”, “Chellow Diwas”, “KGF Chapter 1 & 2”,
and “RRR”, creating a cinematic celebration for the Indian diaspora.
A special retrospective of acclaimed director Dibakar Banerjee featured
screenings of “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!”, “Shanghai”, “Khosla Ka
Ghosla”, “Love Sex aur Dhokha” (Parts 1 & 2), and “Tees”. Mr.
Banerjee was present in Berlin to introduce his films and engage in
post-screening Q&A sessions.
The competition section of the 13th Indo German Film Week showcased a
compelling mix of voices and visions from across India and beyond. Notable
fiction entries included “The Umesh Chronicles”, directed by Pooja Kaul,
a poignant exploration of identity and time; “Appuram” by Indu Lakshmi,
“Feminishi Fatima” by Fasil Muhammed, and “Uttavar” by Anil
Dev—three powerful Malayalam films that tackled themes of womanhood,
resistance, and tradition.
From Bengal, Promita Bhowmik’s “Ahana” brought forth a delicate
narrative steeped in emotional complexity, while “Lachchi”, directed by
Krishne Gowda, represented Kannada cinema with rural realism andtenderness.
The Manipuri film “Boong”, directed by Laxmidevi Priya, was
celebrated for its stirring portrayal of children caught in conflict. “Nukkad
Naatak”, directed by Tanmay Shekhar, was a bold Hindi debut exploring
street theatre as a tool of social change, and “Dilli Dark”, directed by
Dibakar Roy Das, delivered a satirical punch on race, class, and urban
survival in India’s capital.
In the documentary section, two standout entries competed for honors:
“Silver Hair Still Rocks”, directed by Andrea, which offered an uplifting
look at aging and vitality, and “The Real Super Star” by Cedric Dupire, a
sharp, observational piece uncovering the layered dynamics of fame and
fandom in Indian society.