Our Bureau
Tampa, FL
The South Asian International Film Festival Florida (SAIFFF) has concluded its 2nd successful run, highlighted by an exhilarating awards ceremony attended by prominent personalities, including Mrs. Universe USA Amber Uhler, actor-director Somy Ali, and model-actor Aryan Vaid. The festival celebrated emerging filmmakers from around the world, fostering engagement between creators and audiences during its screenings.
The festival opened on a vibrant note Friday evening with a captivating dance performance by the BollysoulFit group, followed by a Diya ceremony led by Aryan Vaid and Somy Ali. The screening of the opening night’s short films included Me, Rani, Itch, Bobby Beauty Parlor, and The Gratitude List.
Throughout the second and third days, films were showcased across multiple theaters, complemented by performances from the Arya Dance Academy, known for its prestigious festival appearances. A lively after-party on Saturday evening drew filmmakers and audience members together for networking and celebration.
SAIFFF also acknowledged its esteemed sponsors, including Hiten Bhuta of SAKAR, Sri Akula of Groundgame Health, and Santosh Govindaraju of Convergent Media, who provided invaluable support during the festival.
On the closing night, attended by Mrs. Universe USA Amber Uhler and Aryan Vaid, Festival Director Hemant Dinkar announced that this year, SAIFFF received approximately 75 submissions across short, documentary, and feature film categories. A diverse panel of judges ultimately selected 30 films for screening.
The competition was intense, culminating in Ram Kamal Mukherjee winning the Best Director award for Binodiini – Ekti Natir Upakhyan, which also earned the Audience Choice Award after a full-house screening. In a historic decision, the judges awarded the Best Actress honor to both Yumna Zaidi for the Pakistani film Nayab and Rukmini Maitra for Binodiini – Ekti Natir Upakhyan. Nayab also secured the title of Best Feature Film. The Best Actor award went to Indian-American actor Kapil Talwalkar for his performance in Paper Flowers, while Jyoti Nisha’s documentary, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now & Then, was recognized as the Best Documentary Film.
In the short film category, after thorough deliberation and audience feedback, the Best Actor award was unanimously given to Sunny Hinduja for his impressive performance in The Gratitude List. Adrija Sinha received the Best Actress award for her role in Bobby Beauty Parlor, while Vijaykumar Mirchandani’s A Pinch of Salt won Best Short Film. Reshma Dordi’s documentary short, The Caregiving Connection, resonated deeply with audiences, earning her the Best Documentary Short Film award. Additionally, SAIFFF recognized Indrani Davaluri for her dual role as actress and director in Andhela Ravamidhi, which was warmly received by viewers.
Award Winners:
Short Film Category:
- Best Short Film: A Pinch of Salt by Vijaykumar Mirchandani
- Best Director (Short Film): Jagat Joon for 2 KHET
- Best Actor (Short Film): Sunny Hinduja for The Gratitude List
- Best Actress (Short Film): Adrija Sinha for Bobby Beauty Parlour
- Best Documentary Short Film: The Caregiving Connection by Reshma Dordi
- Special Mention: Indrani Davaluri for Andhela Ravamidhi
Feature Film Category:
- Best Feature Film: Nayab
- Best Director: Ram Kamal Mukherjee for Binodiini – Ekti Natir Upakhyan
- Best Actor: Kapil Talwalkar for Paper Flowers
- Best Actresses: Yumna Zaidi for Nayab & Rukmini Maitra for Binodiini
- Audience Choice Award: Binodiini – Ekti Natir Upakhyan
- Best Documentary Film: Jyoti Nisha for Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now & Then
The South Asian International Film Festival Florida (SAIFFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying South Asian voices and bridging cultural divides. Supported by Groundgame Health, Sakar Trust, and Convergent Media, SAIFFF showcases an exceptional array of films, providing a vital platform for storytelling that fosters global harmony and understanding. For more information and updates, please visit SAIFFF website.
