Writing with Fire Secures a Win at the Internal Sundance Film Festival

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Indian documentary titled ‘Writing with Fire’ has received a prestigious award at the International Sundance Film Festival. The documentary has been receiving commendable reviews and has now secured an international accolade to its name.

Assessing The Victor

The documentary ‘Writing with Fire’ chronicles the life of Khabar Lahariya, India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. The documentary has been made by debutant director duo Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh and revolves around an ambitious group of Dalit women led by their chief reporter, Meera — as the team switches from print to digital in order to stay relevant. Armed with smartphones and the courage and conviction one must be born with, the group investigate the incompetence of the local police force. 

The film recently added a feather to the embellished cap after receiving an award in the World Cinema Documentary category at the Sundance Film Festival 2021. This International Film Festival was organized by the Sundance Organization and commenced on the 28^th of January, ending on the 3^rd of February, 2021. Sundance Organisation which is a nonprofit association that discovers and supports independent artists and introduces audiences to their work. The very first virtual edition of the award ceremony was hosted by actor-comic Patton Oswalt.

Other Films That Have Been Recognized at Sundance

Moreover, the documentary also secured another award under the special category for change in the World Cinema Documentary. The Sundance Film Festival was the only one to premiere this highly praised documentary. Several other Indian short films, feature films, and documentaries have received international acclaim at the revered Sundance Film Festival. The list includes films like Prashant Nair’s ‘Umrika’, Shonali Bose’s ‘Margarita With A Straw’, Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Masaan’, and Ritesh Batra’s ‘The Lunchbox’. The film ‘CODA’ won four prizes in the US Dramatic Competition category that includes the grand jury prize, the directing prize, the audience award, and a special jury prize for best ensemble. Victory in this esteemed international film festival is a notable feat of achievement for a film of any nationality. Moreover, it encourages audiences to consume different types of visual content.