22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival Concludes Successfully | The closing ceremony of the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival concluded

The closing ceremony of the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival, held last week, concluded recently. This year’s festival presented a diverse selection of Asian cinema, offering audiences an opportunity to experience a wide range of films representing Asian film culture. Around 56 films were screened and well received by viewers.

Prashant Sajanikar, Joint Managing Director of the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation, attended the event as the chief guest. He stated that festivals like the Third Eye Asian Film Festival allow audiences to experience some of the best films from across the world. He also spoke about the need for sustained efforts at various levels, including film festivals, for the growth of the film industry. Emphasizing that films should reach rural areas as well as cities, he said the government is working toward this goal through several initiatives. As part of these efforts, the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Rasaswad Mandal has launched a special initiative for classic films. In addition, three different courses have been introduced to support and train emerging artists. He expressed appreciation for the organizers of the Third Eye Asian Film Festival for successfully hosting the festival for 22 consecutive years and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the development of the film sector.

While welcoming the guests, festival chairman Kiran Shantaram thanked everyone for their cooperation and expressed happiness over the strong response received. Festival director Santosh Pathare also thanked all participants and supporters, noting that the festival’s success was the result of collective effort. On this occasion, festival executive member Shrikant Bojewar, festival director Santosh Pathare, Sandeep Manjrekar, directors Sandeep Sawant, Prabal Khaund, Vikas Patil, Supratim Bhol, and other jury members were present.

This year’s special award for film writing, instituted in memory of the late Sudhir Nandgaonkar, was presented to film scholar and curator Meenakshi Shedde. Accepting the award, she said she was deeply grateful and added that Sudhir Nandgaonkar had made an important contribution to her writing journey, making the honour especially meaningful.

The film competition section featured works by new directors, highlighting fresh cinematic approaches. The results of the competition films screened at the festival were also announced. In the Indian Cinema category, Ballad to the Winds won Best Film. The Best Director award went to Monjul Barua for Romantic Affairs. Manoj Sharma (Body) received the Best Actor award, while Kasavi Sonkorison (Romantic Affairs) won Best Actress.

Special Jury Awards were presented to director Rudrajit Roy (Pinger – The Cage), actor Boloram Das (Romantic Affairs), debut director Dr. Onkar Bhatkar (The Weight of Longing), and actress Gaumaya Gurung (Shape of Momo).

Tribeni Rai (Shape of Momo) received the Best Directorial Debut Award, introduced this year to mark the 125th birth anniversary of filmmaker Dr. V. Shantaram.

In the contemporary Marathi film category, Sabar Bond won Best Film, and Rohan Kanawade received the Best Director award for the same film. Santosh Davkhar, director of Gondal, was also recognised. Bhushan Manoj and Suraj Suman won the Best Actor award for Sabar Bond. The Best Actress award went to Renuka Shahane (Uttar) and Bhakti Ghoghare (Giran). Special Jury Awards were presented to director Raoba Gajmal (Sangla), Manoj Naik-Satam (Gaman) for story, and child artist Devdutt Ghone (Sohla).

Festival director Santosh Pathare reviewed the festival, while Sandeep Manjrekar delivered the vote of thanks. The 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival was organised in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Government of Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation, and NFDC.