MINMargarita, with a Straw directed by Shonali Bose won the NETPAC award for Best Asian Film at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival which wrapped up on Sunday.
The NETPAC Jury comprising Lekha Shankar (India), Hannah Fisher (China) and Anderson Le (Hawaii) remarked, “Margarita, with a Straw is both universal and groundbreaking. Director Shonali Bose and actress Kalki Koechlin have jointly created a character and a world that embody a love letter to life, with all its highs and lows, in spite of overwhelming physical limitations.”
Margarita, with a Straw is scheduled for an early 2015 release in India.
The film revolves around Laila (Kalki Koechlin), a young romantic and a secret rebel in a wheelchair. Undeterred by cerebral palsy, she embarks on exhilarating adventures of self discovery, which cause a rift both within and with those she is closest to. Ultimately, it is in the intensity of these bonds where she must find the strength to truly be herself.
Anup Singh’s Qissa had won the NETPAC award last year.
The other awards at Toronto:
Grolsch People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award: WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
Grolsch People’s Choice Documentary Award: BEATS OF THE ANTONOV
Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film: FELIX AND MEIRA
City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film: BANG BANG BABY
Vimeo Award for Best Canadian Short Film: THE WEATHERMAN AND THE SHADOWBOXER
Vimeo Award for Best International Short Film: A SINGLE BODY
FIPRESCI Prize – Discovery: MAY ALLAH BLESS FRANCE!
