The Goan short film Rishi has achieved a significant international milestone by winning eight awards at the International Parallel Cinema Film Awards organised by The Festival Stage. The film was selected from an impressive pool of over 7,879 entries from across the world, standing out for its powerful narrative, strong performances and refined technical execution.
Directed jointly by Anlisa Rodrigues and Mario Pimenta, Rishi won the awards for Best Short Film and Best Story, while both directors were honoured with the Best Director award. Mario Pimenta also received the award for Best Editing, and Anlisa Rodrigues was recognised for Best Cinematography, highlighting the film’s strong visual language and cohesive storytelling.
Cyrus Fernandes earned accolades for Best Producer and Best Actor (Male) for his impactful performance, while 20-year-old Roshni Maurya won Best Actor (Female), becoming the youngest Goan woman to receive an international acting award. Sneha Fernandes contributed as the voiceover artist, adding emotional depth and resonance to the film’s narrative.
The multiple wins mark a proud moment for Goan cinema and underline the growing global recognition of independent and parallel filmmaking from the region. Rishi’s success reflects the creative strength, collaborative spirit and storytelling depth emerging from Goa’s film community, reinforcing its place on the international cinematic map.
In a landmark moment for Goa’s cultural calendar, the first-ever Goa Book Festival 2026 was inaugurated on February 4 at the D.B. Bandodkar Ground in Panaji by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, marking the beginning of a five-day celebration dedicated to books, ideas, art and dialogue. The inaugural ceremony brought together eminent dignitaries including Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust, India, Dr Kiran Thakur, Chief Patron of the Goa Book Festival and Chairman of Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, Shri Prasad Lolayekar, IAS, Secretary (Education), Government of Goa, Shri Rajesh Pandey, Trustee, NBT and Chief Convenor of the Pune Book Fair, and Shri Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India.
Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister visited the book stalls and explored the festival’s special exhibitions, including “Goa: Stories of Light and Delight,” along with exhibitions commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He also spent time at the Authors’ Corner and the Children’s Pavilion, interacting with participants and appreciating the diverse range of literary, educational and creative activities curated as part of the festival. The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a special video presentation capturing the spirit of the Goa Book Festival and showcasing the cultural and natural beauty of the state.
Expressing his happiness at the launch of the festival, Dr Pramod Sawant lauded the National Book Trust, India for bringing the initiative to Goa and encouraged citizens to support the Goa Book Festival with the same enthusiasm as other popular festivals in the state. He highlighted that the festival goes beyond book sales by offering cultural performances and child-centric activities, and urged NBT to make the festival an annual fixture in Goa’s cultural calendar.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe reflected on the enduring value of books, quoting author George R. R. Martin to emphasise how reading enriches lives. He noted that books act as silent companions offering guidance and emotional support, and said that if visitors could find answers to why to read, what to read and how to read, the festival would have fulfilled its purpose. He further stressed that the vision of a Viksit Bharat rests on informed and thoughtful citizens, making the cultivation of readers an essential foundation.
Dr Kiran Thakur described the Goa Book Festival as an initiative that would give the state a distinct literary identity, noting the participation of over 200 publishers offering books in English, Hindi, Marathi and Konkani. He spoke of India’s rich intellectual heritage and expressed confidence that the festival would grow into a major hub of literary dialogue, reflecting Goa’s pluralistic and inclusive cultural ethos.
Shri Yuvraj Malik, delivering the vote of thanks, remarked that the Goa Book Festival filled a long-standing gap in the state’s cultural landscape. He encouraged visitors to take home at least one book that could inspire or influence their lives, underscoring the transformative power of reading.
The festival opened with vibrant children’s activities including puppet-based storytelling, cartooning workshops inspired by Mario de Miranda, drawing sessions and poster-making activities. The first day concluded with a graceful Ganesh Vandana, a Kathak performance by Laheja – The School of Performing Arts, and a lively musical performance by the 24K India Band, creating a celebratory close to Day One.
Organised by the National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education, in association with the Government of Goa, Samarth Yuva Foundation and Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, the Goa Book Festival 2026 features over 250 book stalls by more than 100 publishers, special exhibitions, cultural performances and interactive sessions for readers of all ages. With free entry, a 10% discount on all books, and daily timings from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM from February 4 to 8, the festival sets the foundation for a lasting cultural tradition that celebrates books as bridges connecting ideas, generations and imaginations.
