By Mabel Pais

At the 2024 Sundance Film Festival (festival.sundance.org), India and the Indian diaspora were honored with awards in different categories.

On January 26, the jury and audience award-winning films for the 2024 Sundance Film Festival were announced during a ceremony at The Ray Theatre in Park City. The Awards Ceremony occurred two days before the conclusion of the Festival, taking place January 18–28, 2024, in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with a selection of titles available online nationwide from January 25–28, 2024. This year marks the 40th edition of the Festival, bringing together audiences in Utah and beyond to celebrate Sundance’s rich history of supporting engaging new stories and groundbreaking independent artists. Live updates were shared on the Sundance Film Festival’s official social media accounts throughout the duration of the awards ceremony.

JURORS

Mira Nair was among the jurors in World Cinema Dramatic Competition;

Shaunak Sen , among others, was a juror in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.

AWARDEES

A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Craft was presented to ‘Nocturnes’ / India, U.S.A. / World Premiere

Director and Producer: Anirban Dutta; Director: Anupama Srinivasan

In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us. In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe.

Jury citation: The images and sound in this film immediately invoke in the audience a meditative state as they enter the film’s world, at the same time bringing a laser focus to the film’s main subject. The confidence of the cinematography and sound design in building this story is part of its power and allure. The World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Craft goes to ‘Nocturnes.’

The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was awarded to

‘Girls Will Be Girls’ / India, France, Norway / World Premiere

Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Shuchi Talati;

Producers: Richa Chadha, Claire Chassagne

In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance. But her sexual, rebellious awakening is disrupted by her mother who never got to come of age herself. 

Cast: Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, Kesav Binoy Kiron.

A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting was presented to Preeti Panigrahi for ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ / India, France, Norway / World Premiere

Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Shuchi Talati;

Producers: Richa Chadha, Claire Chassagne

In a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas, 16-year-old Mira discovers desire and romance. But her sexual, rebellious awakening is disrupted by her mother who never got to come of age herself.

Limon Dance (Credit / limon.nyc)Limon Dance (Credit / limon.nyc)Cast: Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, Kesav Binoy Kiron.

Jury citation: This luminous performance completely moved and surprised us, bringing to life a character with intelligence and vulnerability. In a film that dared to explore young female sexuality and agency with frankness and sweetness, this performance was delicate, uncompromising, and unforgettable. The winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting goes to Preeti Panigrahi in ‘Girls Will Be Girls.’

The Sundance Institute | Adobe Mentorship Award for Nonfiction went to Kristina Motwani

The Sundance Institute | NHK Award (of the Japan Broadcasting Corporation) went to Saim Sadiq for ‘We Are Never Going to Die.’

The Sundance Film Festival®

The Sundance Film Festival, a program of the nonprofit Sundance Institute, is the pre-eminent gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the Festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide.

For more information, visit festival.sundance.org and follow the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

The Sundance Institute

As a champion and curator of independent stories, the nonprofit Sundance Institute provides and preserves the space for artists across storytelling media to create and thrive. Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, the Institute’s signature labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally.

Sundance Collab (collab.sundance.org), a digital community platform, brings a global cohort of working artists together to learn from Sundance advisors and connect with each other in a creative space, developing and sharing works in progress. Learn more at sundance.org

 Connect with Sundance Institute (sundance.org) on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

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EXPERIENCE NUANCED DANCE MOVEMENTS WITH LIMON

By Mabel Pais

“Limon fostered diversity in the arts and shaped the history of dance in New York, and beyond today, his remarkable legacy lives on.” – Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York.

Limón Dance Company makes its NJPAC debut on Saturday February 17, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m.

Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Limón Dance Company is acclaimed worldwide for its dramatic expression, technical mastery and expansive, yet nuanced movement. Led by Artistic Director Dante Puleio, the company will perform iconic Limón works in addition to ‘Migrant Mother’ by 2022 Bessie Award winner Raúl Tamez.

Limón has been at the vanguard of American Modern dance since its inception and is considered one of the world’s greatest dance companies. The Company’s repertory, which includes classic works in addition to new commissions from contemporary choreographers, possesses an unparalleled breadth and creates unique experiences for audiences around the world.

Numerous honors have been bestowed upon both José Limón and the Company he founded 75 years ago, including the White House’s 2008 National Medal of Arts for Lifetime Achievement. Additionally, the Company was the first modern dance group to tour under the auspices of the State Department and to perform at Lincoln Center. According to dance critic Deborah Jowitt, “all the performers have a beautiful understanding of Limón’s rich, strong style and the curving gestures that suspend – as in a caught breath – yet acknowledge the pull of the earth.” Learn more at limon.nyc.

TICKETS

To purchase tickets, call NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC (1.888.466.5722)

or visit NJPAC.org/dance.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)