BY Mahadev Desai The Manipuri feature Boong has scripted a landmark moment in Indian cinema by winning the 2026 BAFTA Award for Best Children’s and Family Film at the Royal Festival Hall in London on February 22, 2026. The win is historic on several fronts: Boong is the first Indian film ever to receive a BAFTA in this category, and it is also the first film directed by an Indian woman to win a BAFTA in any category. For India’s women filmmakers—especially those working outside the mainstream Hindi film industry—this recognition marks a deeply affirming milestone. What is more; Boong marks the directorial debut of Lakshmipriya Devi, a Manipuri filmmaker whose sensitive storytelling and grounded visual style have drawn international praise. The film is co produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, a collaboration that helped bring a regional story to a global platform without diluting its cultural roots. For now, it deserves a place