Director Sudhir Mishra

JAN. 23: Director Sudhir Mishra’s cult political thriller, ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi,’ starring Kay Kay Menon and introducing Chitrangada Singh and Rohan Ahuja, was selected for the 54th Berlin International Film Festival. The film captures the spirit of the turbulent 1970s.

A scene from ‘Breathing Without Air’

MARCH 7: A documentary film depicting the conditions of an Indian working child bagged a ‘Special Mention Jury’ Award at a New York film festival. ‘Breathing Without Air,’ a 23-minute debut documentary-fiction film by Oriya journalist and producer-director Kapilas Bhuyan, was awarded at the New York Short Film Festival-2004.

Prashant Bhargava

MAY 13: ‘Sangam,’ a short feature film directed by Prashant Bhargava, received Honorary Mention as ‘Best Short’ at the Nashville Film Festival. Starring Hesh Sarmalkar, who lives in New York, the film had its New York premiere at Asia Society on May 13. The film weaves traditional narrative with experimental techniques.

Hesh Sarmalkar

SEPT. 12: Hesh Sarmalkar, an Indian-American actor who lives in New York, received the ‘Best Actor’ Jury award at ‘Rome Georgia International Film Festival,’ for his portrayal of a hapless immigrant from the movie ‘Sangam.’ In the role of Raj, a hapless immigrant from India. Sarmalkar won the sympathies of audiences.

Anant Singh

SEPT. 24: ‘Yesterday,’ a film with the theme of HIV/AIDS produced by South African-Indian filmmaker Anant Singh won the inaugural Human Rights Film Award at the 61st Venice International Film Festival. ‘Yesterday,’ the first feature in Zulu language, received a standing ovation from the audience in Venice.

Mira Nair

OCT. 16: The Woodstock Film Festival conferred its top award, the Honorary Maverick Award, to director Mira Nair. The award is given to someone who embodies the festival’s slogan — ‘fiercely independent’ — and who supports both the pursuit of great artistic endeavors and social conscience.

(Compiled by Sushweta Ghosh)