3 days Ago By Sentinel Digital Desk
Staff Reporter Rima Das’ latest offering, Village Rockstars 2, is making its mark at international film festivals and will make its European premiere at the prestigious Berlinale, or Berlin International Film Festival 2025, after bagging the Kim Jiseok Award at the Busan International Film Festival. The festival will be held in Berlin, Germany, from Feb 13-23, 2025. Written, directed, and produced by Rima Das, the globally recognised filmmaker from Assam, Village Rockstars 2 will make its European debut at the Berlinale 2025 in the Generation 14 Plus Competition section.
This is Rima’s second feature film to be selected at Berlinale after Bulbul Can Sing won ‘Special Mention’ at Berlinale 2019 in the same Generation 14 Plus. Interestingly, Rima Das also had the honour of being the jury member at Berlinale 2020 in the same category. The film had its World premiere at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, where it won the much-coveted Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film.
The film had its India premiere at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 in the South Asia Competition. The film is a sequel to the award-winning debut indie feature Village Rockstars by the then-unknown filmmaker from rural Assam that made waves internationally and in India following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2018, and was India’s Official Entry to the Academy Awards 2019. The film produced by Flying River Films, Akanga Film Asia, stars Bhanita Das, Basanti Das, Junumoni Boro, Boloram Das, and Manabendra Das, among others.
Thrilled with the Berlinale selection, the writer-director-producer Rima Das says, “Returning to Berlin is always a wonderful experience. It’s a beautiful festival with amazing audiences, and I love the winter mist. After seeing the response from prestigious film festivals in Asia, we’re excited to connect with different audiences.
It feels like completing a full circle.” “So far, I’m really happy with the feedback on the film. Many people have told me they find Village Rockstars 2 my most emotional work yet.
We’re heading to Berlin with lots of hope and excitement to explore new possibilities.” Rima adds. Taking to social media on Wednesday, Rima said, “We are absolutely thrilled to share that has been selected for the Generation section at the Berlinale—Berlin International Film Festival.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team for their hard work and passion. We humbly seek your love and blessings as we embark on this exciting journey.” Village Rockstars 2 is about a teenage girl in a charming village who passionately pursues her musical dream.
However, life’s harsh realities challenge her innocence. As she faces these trials, she embarks on a journey to rediscover the profound connection between music and life, seeking a new harmony in the symphony of her dreams. Rima Das, a two-time National Award-winning filmmaker, became an Academy Awards member in 2024.
She is also one of the brand ambassadors of the Toronto International Film Festival’s ‘Share Her Journey’ campaign that champions the cause of gender equality in cinema. GQ India named Rima Das as one of the Most Influential Young Indians of 2018. Her films Village Rockstars in 2017, Bulbul Can Sing in 2018, and Tora’s Husband in 2022 premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The films were collectively screened at over 150 prestigious film festivals around the world, bagging over 75 awards. She has donned multiple hats of writer, director, producer, cinematographer, and editor for her projects on indigenous and realistic stories that explore complicated relationships, finding purpose, coming of age, and life amidst nature in the wonderland called . Also Read: Also Watch:.
