Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Oct 24: The Konkani short film ‘Ancessao’, directed by Manguirish Jagdish Bandodkar, clinched the Best International Short Film award at the 14th International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA), held in Toronto, Canada, from October 9 to 19. The festival screened 120 films in 22 South Asian languages, spanning features, short films, and documentaries.

Actor Prashanti Talpankar, who portrayed an elderly woman in the film, was also honoured with the Best Actor award in the festival’s international category.

The 30-minute film explores the life and psyche of an old Goan woman living in isolation in her village home. To cope with her loneliness, she finds solace in gossiping about others, deriving both pleasure and occasional guilt from her meddling.

The festival jury praised the film, stating that “‘Ancessao’ stands out for its tonal balance, rich character work, and deeply human gaze,” highlighting its emotional depth and nuanced storytelling.