‘The Fable’, directed by Raam Reddy, has made history as the first Indian film to win the prestigious Best Film award at the 38th Leeds International Film Festival 2024.

This marks a significant milestone for Indian cinema, as no Indian film has previously won this honor in the festival’s main international competition, the Constellation Features Competition, since its inception in 1987, PTI reported.

The film, which had its world premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival 2024, and also received the Special Jury Prize at the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, has garnered global recognition for its unique storytelling and performances.

In his statement, Raam Reddy expressed his gratitude, saying, “Leeds is an incredible festival… and this recognition of Best Film in such an important international platform makes me feel thankful and fulfilled as a filmmaker. I want to dedicate this award to my amazing team, whose sustained passion and effort over the years have brought The Fable to life!”

Manoj Bajpayee, who stars in the film, shared his excitement, stating, “Winning the Best Film award at Leeds is not just a triumph for our film but a proud moment for Indian cinema.” He further praised Reddy’s unique blend of magical realism and the talented ensemble cast, including Priyanka Bose, Deepak Dobriyal, Tillotama Shome, and Guneet Monga Kapoor, among others.

Executive Producer Guneet Monga Kapoor expressed her thrill at the achievement, calling the win a testament to Raam Reddy’s vision and Manoj Bajpayee’s remarkable performance. Achin Jain, another Executive Producer, reflected on the immense pride of the film’s victory, highlighting the positive global reception, including the full house during a 45-minute Q&A session after a midnight screening.

The film faced stiff competition from international films like Simon of the Mountain (Best Film at Cannes Critics Week from Argentina), Toxic (Best Film at Locarno Festival from Lithuania), and Lovable (Karlovy Vary Award Winner from Norway). The Fable has already garnered enthusiastic responses at festivals worldwide, including the Seminci Festival in Spain, Mostra São Paolo in Brazil, and the 69th Cork International Film Festival in Ireland. It will continue its global journey with screenings in Nantes, France, and a Special Presentation at the Singapore International Film Festival, attended by Manoj Bajpayee and Raam Reddy.

Set in the Indian Himalayas, ‘The Fable’ blends magical realism with a powerful political allegory. The story follows a family whose peaceful life is disrupted by mysterious events, with Manoj Bajpayee playing the lead role of Dev. The film also features Priyanka Bose, Deepak Dobriyal, Tillotama Shome, and Hiral Sidhu in key roles.

An India-US co-production between Prspctvs Productions and Maxmedia, The Fable was executive produced by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain of Sikhya Entertainment, both of whom are Academy Award-winning producers.