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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 22

South Asian International Film

Festival Florida (SAIFFF) Concludes

with a Thrilling Awards Ceremony

OUR BUREAU
Vijaykumar Mirchandani’s A Pinch
Miami, FL of Salt won Best Short Film. Resh-
ma Dordi’s documentary short, The
he South Asian Interna- Caregiving Connection, resonated
tional Film Festival Florida
T(SAIFFF) has concluded its deeply with audiences, earning her
the Best Documentary Short Film
2nd successful run, highlighted by award. Additionally, SAIFFF recog-
an exhilarating awards ceremony at- nized Indrani Davaluri for her dual
tended by prominent personalities, role as actress and director in And-
including Mrs. Universe USA Amber hela Ravamidhi, which was warmly
Uhler, actor-director Somy Ali, and received by viewers.
model-actor Aryan Vaid. The festival
celebrated emerging filmmakers from AWARD WINNERS:
around the world, fostering engage- SHORT FILM CATEGORY:
ment between creators and audiences
during its screenings. • Best Short Film: A Pinch of Salt by
The festival opened on a vibrant Vijaykumar Mirchandani
note Friday evening with a captivat- • Best Director (Short Film): Jagat
ing dance performance by the Bolly- Joon for 2 KHET
soulFit group, followed by a Diya cer- • Best Actor (Short Film): Sunny
emony led by Aryan Vaid and Somy Hinduja for The Gratitude List
Ali. The screening of the opening • Best Actress (Short Film): Adrija
night’s short films included Me, Rani, Sinha for Bobby Beauty Parlour
Itch, Bobby Beauty Parlor, and The • Best Documentary Short Film: The
Gratitude List. Caregiving Connection by Reshma
Throughout the second and third Dordi
days, films were showcased across • Special Mention: Indrani Davaluri
multiple theaters, complemented by for Andhela Ravamidhi
performances from the Arya Dance FEATURE FILM CATEGORY:
Academy, known for its prestigious
festival appearances. A lively af- • Best Feature Film: Nayab
ter-party on Saturday evening drew • Best Director: Ram Kamal
filmmakers and audience members Mukherjee for Binodiini - Ekti
together for networking and celebra- Natir Upakhyan
tion. • Best Actor: Kapil Talwalkar for Pa-
SAIFFF also acknowledged its per Flowers
esteemed sponsors, including Hit- • Best Actresses: Yumna Zaidi for
en Bhuta of SAKAR, Sri Akula of Nayab & Rukmini Maitra for Bino-
Groundgame Health, and Santosh diini
Govindaraju of Convergent Media, • Audience Choice Award: Binodiini
who provided invaluable support - Ekti Natir Upakhyan
during the festival. • Best Documentary Film: Jyoti Ni-
On the closing night, attended sha for Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now
by Mrs. Universe USA Amber Uhler which also earned the Audience Flowers, while Jyoti Nisha’s docu- & Then
and Aryan Vaid, Festival Director Choice Award after a full-house mentary, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now The South Asian International
Hemant Dinkar announced that this screening. In a historic decision, the & Then, was recognized as the Best Film Festival Florida (SAIFFF) is a
year, SAIFFF received approximate- judges awarded the Best Actress hon- Documentary Film. non-profit organization dedicated to
ly 75 submissions across short, docu- or to both Yumna Zaidi for the Paki- In the short film category, after amplifying South Asian voices and
mentary, and feature film categories. stani film Nayab and Rukmini Maitra thorough deliberation and audience bridging cultural divides. Supported
A diverse panel of judges ultimately for Binodiini - Ekti Natir Upakhyan. feedback, the Best Actor award was by Groundgame Health, Sakar Trust,
selected 30 films for screening. Nayab also secured the title of Best unanimously given to Sunny Hindu- and Convergent Media, SAIFFF
The competition was intense, Feature Film. ja for his impressive performance in showcases an exceptional array of
culminating in Ram Kamal Mukher- The Best Actor award went to The Gratitude List. Adrija Sinha re- films, providing a vital platform for
jee winning the Best Director award Indian-American actor Kapil Tal- ceived the Best Actress award for her storytelling that fosters global harmo-
for Binodiini - Ekti Natir Upakhyan, walkar for his performance in Paper role in Bobby Beauty Parlor, while ny and understanding.

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