Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam filmmaker Rima Das claimed the Best Indie Film Award at the 2026 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The win follows her 2019 success with Bulbul Can Sing. It is her second time taking home this specific trophy. Her work is a fixture at the festival, where all five of her feature films have screened. Das also directed a segment in the My Melbourne anthology.
Not a Hero debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2026. It earned a Crystal Bear Special Mention from the Children's Jury during the Generation Kplus Competition. The plot follows an 11-year-old boy sent from the city to his ancestral village. He bonds with a horse, meets a distant aunt, and plays with local children. The story centers on childhood freedom and the natural world.
Reflecting on the achievement, Das said the win was "extremely special" and highlighted the festival's role in her career. Flying River Films produced the project alongside Akanga Film Asia and TrainTripper Films. Paris outfit MMM Sales is managing global distribution. Das, a two-time National Award winner, joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2024.
Updated at 14th August 2026 at 10:01pm
The Melbourne screening served as the Australian premiere for the project. Beyond her recent win, Das's catalog including Village Rockstars, Bulbul Can Sing, Tora's Husband, and Village Rockstars 2 has hit over 150 festivals worldwide, racking up more than 75 awards.
Das noted that her work frequently hunts for truths regarding childhood, identity, and the coming of age experience. She emphasized that Not a Hero specifically leans into the role of imagination alongside the connection between children and the natural world.
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