Two Indian women filmmakers have made a remarkable mark at the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held in Australia. Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light won the prestigious Jury Grand Prize, while Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut feature Boong earned the Best Youth Film award.

Kapadia’s film, which earlier clinched the Grand Prix at Cannes and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), is also in contention for an Oscar nomination. Set in Mumbai, All We Imagine As Light explores the aspirations and struggles of three working-class nurses, drawing critical acclaim for its poignant narrative.

On the other hand, Boong, a heartwarming tale of a young boy from Manipur, made its debut at TIFF. The film, featuring Gugun Kipgen in the lead role, follows the boy’s emotional journey to reunite his family, balancing charm with a strong social message.

Lakshmipriya Devi celebrated her win alongside Nikita Parikh, Associate Producer of All We Imagine As Light. The latter film was produced by Chalk and Cheese, adding another feather to India’s cinematic cap at APSA.