Biswanath Rath becomes first Odia filmmaker with 500 international awards

Bhubaneswar: Biswanath Rath, an internationally acclaimed writer-director hailing from Jeypore, Odisha, has added to his illustrious career by securing two awards at the Miseentage International Film Festival (India). His English documentary, ‘The SoulCatcher,’ and Sambalpuri Music Video, ‘KahideThare,’ earned him the ‘Best Director (Documentary) Award’ and ‘Best Music Video Award,’ respectively.

A post-graduate in screenwriting and film direction, Rath’s films have consistently represented Odisha, India, and Asia on the global stage. With this recent achievement, his total count of International Film Festival Awards now stands at an impressive 503.

Founder of the award-winning film production company ‘BnR Films,’ Rath and his wife Archana Rath have created a significant presence in the industry, producing short films, documentaries, music videos, TV commercials and more.

Rath’s films, characterised by their local content with global appeal, have garnered widespread acclaim and have been showcased in festivals across continents. Delving into Odia and Indian culture, traditions and social issues, his work sparks debates and discussions while also creating awareness about lesser-known art and craft traditions.

Beyond the festival circuit, Rath’s films have found a home on major national and international OTT platforms, including Amazon Prime, Epic TV, Tubi, Plex, MX Player, Disney Hotstar, and Docubay. Recognised for his cinematic contributions, Rath has received numerous awards and honours from socio-cultural associations in India and abroad.