SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Boong

Boong is a practical joke-prone schoolboy whose father has migrated for work. When he and his mother get word that his father has died, they suspect there is more to the story. This leads Boong to enlist the help of his best friend, the reserved Raju, on a mission of the world around them: racism, transgender discrimination, growing sectarian violence, and the reasons why someone would want him to believe his father is dead. First-time director Lakshmipriya Devi imbues Boong with sweetness and a seriousness in perfect balance, giving weight to the issues that inspire the boys’ journey while also leaving room for the wonder and joy of youth. The result is a profound dream of a better life seen through the eyes of a child. Winner Best Film: BAFTA (2026)