Goan documentary Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri, directed by Prachi Shirodkar, has won the Best Documentary Award at the Amader International Short Film Festival (AISFF) 2026, held at Howrah Sarat Sadan, Kolkata, West Bengal. Adding to this achievement, Prachi Shirodkar also received the Best Director – Festival Mention, further recognising her compelling storytelling, sensitive direction, and cinematic vision.
Out of 15,678 submissions from across the globe, the film was selected by the festival jury for its artistic excellence, clarity of vision, and powerful narrative. AISFF 2026 brought together filmmakers from diverse cultural and creative backgrounds, making this recognition a significant international achievement.
Shot, directed, and narrated by Prachi Shirodkar, the documentary was edited by Mario Pimenta. The film features interviews with veteran artisans Virendra Rivankar, Rashila Shirodkar, and Pranay Shirodkar, with Haresh Shirodkar serving as the script consultant, helping shape the film’s narrative structure.
The documentary highlights the artistry and craftsmanship of Goa’s traditional gold artisans — a culturally rich and historically significant creative field that remains largely underrepresented in mainstream cinema.
Prachi Shirodkar, a 28-year-old filmmaker from Porvorim, has earned multiple national and international festival selections, including Best Documentary at the Miseentage Indian Film Awards and Best Student Documentary at the Goa International Film Festival. She currently works as an Assistant Director and Art Director, while continually honing her filmmaking skills. She is also an actress and visual artist.
This latest win firmly establishes Prachi Shirodkar as one of the most promising women filmmakers in Goan cinema and serves as an inspiration for aspiring women storytellers, proving that dedication, belief, and creative vision can lead to international recognition.
