December 30, 2025 – Acclaimed Assamese filmmaker Rima Das has added another feather to her cap by receiving the New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) Excellence in Directing Award for her critically praised film Village Rockstars 2. 0 “LARGE” 3 “LARGE” 6 “LARGE”
The award recognizes Das as one of 11 internationally renowned women filmmakers honoured this year for their outstanding contributions to cinema. NYWIFT, a leading non-profit organization in the US entertainment industry, supports and promotes women in film, television, and digital media.
Reacting to the honour, Rima Das stated: “Receiving this recognition from New York Women in Film and Television for Village Rockstars 2 is deeply meaningful to me. This is not just a personal honour, but a reaffirmation that stories from India, told with honesty and lived experience, can travel across borders. My cinematic journey and ambitions are expansive, and this support strengthens my belief in building a more inclusive global cinema.”
NYWIFT CEO Cynthia López described the initiative as “filmmakers supporting filmmakers,” aimed at fostering a global ecosystem for women’s creative voices.
Das joins an esteemed list of recipients, including Suzannah Herbert (Natchez), Cherien Dabis (All That’s Left of You), Shonali Bose (A Fly on the Wall), and others.
Village Rockstars 2, the sequel to Das’s National Award-winning Village Rockstars (India’s official Oscar entry in 2019), had its world premiere at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award. It also screened at the Berlinale and is anticipated for theatrical release soon.
Known for her authentic, rooted storytelling from Northeast India, Rima Das continues to emerge as a powerful voice in global independent cinema. This latest accolade underscores the rising international acclaim for Indian regional films.
