Logline: A young man from Darjeeling, determined to become the woman she knows herself to be, fights against family rejection, social stigma, and the limits of her own circumstances to claim her identity.
Synopsis: Shanaya’s Path follows the intimate journey of Shanaya, a young person from Darjeeling who identifies as a woman and dreams of transitioning despite immense social and familial resistance. Since gender norms are rigid and visibility for trans people is scarce in her home town, Shanaya leaves for New Delhi, but her desire to become her true self is met with hostility, shame, and fear.
The documentary captures her daily struggles, private moments of reflection, and emotional conversations with her family, who struggle to accept her identity.
It is a deeply human portrait of resilience, courage, and self-discovery in the face of overwhelming odds.
Note: I can only show the trailer as the film is going through the festival circuit this year and next.
Progress so far:
- Best Documentary at Barcelona Planet Film Festival
- Winner at LA Film & Documentary Award
- Best Feature Documentary at Toronto/Los Angeles Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival
- Nominee at Jaipur International Film Festival
- Winner at World Cannes Film Festival
- Winner at Los Angeles Movie and Music Video Awards
- Official Selection at Queer Expression Film Festival
- Official Selection at Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival
- Official Selection at New York Film & Cinematography Film Festival
- Semi-Finalist at Palermo Film Festival
- Best Documentary at Indian Independent Film Festival
- Official Selection at Depth Of Field Film Festival
- Excellence Award at LGBT Unbordered Film Festival
- Official Selection at Bollywood & Hollywood Film Festival Sydney
- Official Selection at RED Movie Awards Reims
- Winner Best Documentary at ARFF Barcelona Film Festival
- Winner Best Documentary at Depth Of Field International Film Festival
- Winner at Bangkok Movie Awards
- Winner at Dallas Movie Film Festival
- Winner at San Francisco Women Film Festival
- Winner at Tokyo Women Film Festival
- Semi-Finalist at Hamburg Indie Film Festival
- Best LGBTQ at San Diego IFA
- Winner at Hollywood Stage Script Competition
- Nominee at Berlin Filmhaus
- Winner at Hollywood Day Film Festival
- Winner at ICE Movie Awards
- Official Selection at Toronto Arts & Entertainment Film Festival
- Official Selection at Los Angeles Short Film Awards
- Nominee at Reale Film Festival
- Winner at Dreamz Catcher Film Festival
- Official Selection at Canada Independent Film Festival
- Award Winner at 16th International Film Festival Jaipur
- Nominee at London Night Film Festival
- Award Winner at International Film Carnival Calcutta
- Official Selection at Vesuvio International Movie Awards
- Winner (best documentary and LGBTQI) at Golden Gate International Film Festival
- Finalist at Las Vegas IFSF
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