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.
