Team Goemkarponn
TORONTO: Acclaimed Goan actor Prashanti Talpankar has made history by winning the Best Actor award in the international category at the 14th International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) in Toronto for her performance in the Konkani short film ‘Ancessao’, directed by Manguirish Bandodkar. This marks the first time a Goan actor has received an international award for a role in a Konkani film.
The festival, held from October 9 to 19, screened 120 films in 22 languages, representing the diversity and richness of South Asian cinema through features, shorts, and documentaries. Among these, only two awards were announced, with Talpankar receiving the Best Actor honour and Suman Sen winning Best Director for his film ‘Cry Me a River’.
IFFSA lauded Talpankar’s performance, noting that she brought depth and authenticity to her character, portraying a woman navigating personal struggles with nuance and emotional complexity. Her portrayal was described as a compelling study of loneliness, curiosity, and human connection, captivating audiences with its subtlety and intensity.
Talpankar, whose career spans multiple languages and genres, has previously featured in internationally recognised Konkani films such as ‘Poltodcho Munis’ and national award-winning projects including ‘Kabhi Paas Kabhi Fail’, ‘Alisha’, ‘Amori’, and ‘Baga Beach’. She has also won Best Supporting Actor for her role in ‘Juze’ at the Goa Film Festival and received numerous state-level honours for her contributions to theatre and cinema.
Talpankar expressed her gratitude, highlighting the role of young filmmakers in the success of ‘Ancessao’. She emphasised the importance of audience support for Konkani cinema and called on the government to provide financial assistance to foster emerging talent.
Talpankar also criticised the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) for its limited support to local cinema, noting that the state-run organisation had not conducted a festival since 2018. She pointed out that despite the international success of films like ‘Juze’, ESG categorised them as C-grade while providing financial aid, reflecting a need for modernisation in jury selection and support mechanisms for young filmmakers.
Director Manguirish Bandodkar, 33, expressed his excitement over the film’s international recognition, highlighting that ‘Ancessao’ was the only Konkani film in the competition, which featured 25 short films and featurettes from across South Asia.
IFFSA Toronto, North America’s largest South Asian film organisation, showcases films celebrating South Asian cultures and identities. The festival’s advisory council includes internationally acclaimed filmmakers such as Anup Singh, Manoj Bajpayee, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Vikramjit Roy, further emphasising the global recognition and credibility of the awards.
Talpankar’s achievement is being hailed as a landmark moment for Goan cinema, shining a spotlight on the potential of Konkani films on the international stage and underscoring the importance of supporting young and emerging filmmakers.
