In a stellar display of talent, acclaimed actor Prashanti Talpankar has clinched the Best Actor award in the international category at the 14th International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) held in Toronto.
This notable recognition comes for her captivating performance in the Konkani short film ‘Ancessao,’ directed by Manguirish Bandodkar.
The festival, which ran from 9 to 19 October, showcased an impressive lineup of 120 films in 22 languages, representing the richness of South Asian cinema through an array of features, shorts, and documentaries.
Amidst this vibrant portfolio, only two awards were announced, combining eight short films and 17 featurettes: the Best Actor award to Talpankar, while Best Director honours went to Suman Sen for his movie ‘Cry Me a River.’
FIRST GOAN ACTOR TO WIN AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Making history, Talpankar is the first Goan actor to be honoured with an international award for her role in a Konkani film.
While announcing the award on social media this morning, the IFFSA praised her performance:
“In Ancessao, Prashanti Talpankar delivers a transformative performance, embodying the emotional depth and complexity of a woman confronting personal struggles and vulnerability. She elevates a seemingly ordinary character into a compelling study of loneliness, curiosity, and human connection. Through meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of her character’s inner world, Talpankar brings authenticity and depth to the screen, captivating audiences with her nuanced portrayal.”
A still from ‘Ancessao’With a vibrant career spanning multiple languages and genres, Talpankar has established herself as a linchpin of Goan cinema and theatre. Her body of work includes the internationally recognised Konkani film ‘Poltodcho Munis’ (Konkani) and several national award-winning films like Hindi film ‘Kabhi Paas Kabhi Fail’ and Konkani films ‘Alisha’, ‘Amori’ and ‘Baga Beach’.
Her accolades include winning Best Supporting Actor for her role in ‘Juze’ at the Goa Film Festival, as well as various state-level honours that underscore her contributions to the arts.
SUPPORT THE YOUNG FILMMAKERS: PRASHANTI
While speaking with goanews.com, 62-year-old Talpankar expressed her gratitude, attributing her award to the dedicated young filmmakers behind ‘Ancessao’ and highlighting the collaborative spirit that defined the project.
“This award proves that young filmmakers are the future of Goan and Indian cinema in our own Konkani language. It is essential for the Konkani audience to support these films in theatres and for the government to provide the necessary financial assistance,” she remarked.
The young team of ‘Ancessao’The actor-cum-social activist has also criticised the apathy of the state-run Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), highlighting that the organisation had not hosted a state festival since 2018. This year, the ESG managed to hold a festival covering the 10th, 11th, and 12th editions in one go.
In a striking contrast, the Konkani film “Juze,” which has garnered attention at several international film festivals and made headlines by winning 14 awards at the Goa Film Festival, was categorised as a C-grade film (the lowest category) by the same ESG while providing financial assistance.
“This situation arose because the ESG opted for juries with backgrounds in theatre rather than those with expertise in cinema. It is essential for the ESG to modernise its approach to cinema and make every effort to support our young, creative, and talented filmmakers who are currently facing significant challenges,” observed Talpankar.
THE ONLY KONKANI FILM AT THE FEST
In an exciting turn of events, Manguirish Bandodkar, the 33-year-old director and cinematographer behind the Konkani film ‘Ancessao,’ expressed his exhilaration after the film was selected for the international competition at the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA).
Director & Cinematographer Manguirish Bandodkar with ‘Ancessao’Bandodkar shared that he is particularly thrilled about the film’s nomination for acting, marking a significant achievement as it was the only Konkani film among the prestigious entries. The competition featured a remarkable lineup of 25 short films and featurettes from various countries across South Asia.
EMINENT ADVISORS OF IFFSA
IFFSA Toronto is the largest South Asian film organisation in North America, advancing the development, promotion and celebration of South Asian screen arts in Canada.
The Festival showcases a diverse, language-independent selection of the best films from around the world, on themes of South Asian cultures and identities. A select number of foreign films are considered under the Beyond South Asia segment.
Its advisory council consists of internationally acclaimed filmmakers, including Anup Singh, the Writer, Director and Teacher of Cinema from Switzerland, Manoj Bajpayee, the Padma Shri Awardee and iconic Actor from India, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Writer, Director and Producer from Bangladesh, Shahrbanoo Sadat, film Director from Afghanistan, and Vikramjit Roy, Creative Producer and Strategist from India.
A still from ‘Ancessao’
