Biswanath Rath Creates History with 600 International Film Festival Accolades

Bhubaneswar – In a glittering career spanning 13 years, internationally acclaimed writer-director Biswanath Rath has brought Odisha’s stories to the world stage, one film at a time. Now, he has achieved a milestone that very few Indian filmmakers can boast of — 600 accolades at international film festivals, including 184 awards, making him the first Odia filmmaker to reach this feat.

The record-breaking moment came at the Bioscope Global Film Festival (India), where his Odia mid-length fiction film ChaariKaandha won the Best Short Film Award. This victory was more than just another trophy; it marked a journey of relentless passion, rooted in local culture yet celebrated across continents.

Hailing from Jeypore in Odisha’s Koraput district and armed with a postgraduate degree in Screenwriting and Film Direction, Biswanath has spent over a decade crafting award-winning short films, documentaries, music videos, and ad films. His production house BnR Films, co-founded with his wife Archana Rath, has made a mark both in India and internationally, producing content that blends Odia and Indian heritage with universal appeal.

From the bustling streets of New York to the serene landscapes of Melbourne, from Paris to Moscow, his films have been screened in almost every corner of the globe. His debut short film Kar Bhalaa (2013) — based on a true Chennai story — opened the door to this international journey, eventually earning 10 awards and 66 festival selections. Since then, his repertoire has expanded to include critically acclaimed works such as The Right Glass, Ravaiyaa, New Champion, and the celebrated documentary Kotpad Weaving, which brought attention to the unique tribal textile tradition of Odisha.

Biswanath’s work is deeply rooted in real issues and true events, often shining a spotlight on lesser-known art forms, crafts, and social challenges. His Mana Manasi music video, released in three languages (Odia, Sambalpuri, and Hindi), has already bagged 34 awards, further proving his ability to merge creativity with cultural representation.

Many of his films have also reached wider audiences through OTT platforms like Amazon Prime, Epic TV, Tubi, Plex, and Docubay, while his music videos have racked up lakhs of views on YouTube. His cinematic efforts have been recognised not just by juries but also by Indian and Odia socio-cultural organisations across India and abroad, from Chennai to Dubai, from London to Melbourne.

Reflecting on his journey, Biswanath said “This is a special moment not just for me, but for Archana, BnR Films, and every artist, technician, and well-wisher who has stood by us. Achieving 600 accolades is humbling, but my goal remains the same — to create meaningful, socially relevant films that resonate with both Indian and global audiences.”

With extensive research already completed for multiple feature-length scripts across genres, Biswanath is now gearing up for his next big chapter — the pre-production of his first Odia feature-length fiction film. And if his past journey is any indication, the next milestone might just be around the corner.