All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL), directed by Payal Kapadia, and debutant Lakshmipriya Devi's Boong emerged as the big winners from India at the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. AWIAL received the prestigious Jury Grand Prize, while Boong was named Best Youth Film. The awards ceremony followed the four-day Asia Pacific Screen Forum, celebrating cinematic excellence from the region.
AWIAL had earlier secured the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year, making it a historic win for Indian cinema. The Malayalam-Hindi bilingual drama explores the lives of three women navigating personal and societal challenges in Mumbai, with Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam in the lead roles.
Boong tells the story of a young boy from Manipur, determined to surprise his mother by bringing his estranged father home, only to discover an unexpected new beginning. The Manipuri-language film had its world premiere in the Discovery section of the 49th Toronto International Film Festival in September. It is backed by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Suitable Pictures.