Sikkim is celebrating a moment of pride and inspiration as Vaidyanath Nishant, a talented young filmmaker and alumnus of Sikkim University, has been awarded Best Documentary Short Film at the prestigious MEI International Film Festival (MEIIFF) 2025.
Held annually, MEIIFF is one of India’s most respected film festivals, attracting submissions from independent and professional filmmakers across the globe. With over 1,200 entries in the short documentary category this year, the competition was intense — making Nishant’s win all the more remarkable.
A Story That Needed to Be Told
Nishant’s documentary, titled “Bow Barracks: Beyond the Red Bricks,” explores the lives of a lesser-known Anglo-Indian community residing in Bow Barracks, Kolkata. The film dives deep into the emotional and cultural layers of a neighborhood that has largely remained underrepresented in mainstream Indian media.
Festival directors Boszur and Jaysan P. Anbalyan praised the documentary for its powerful storytelling, authentic representation, and emotional depth, personally presenting Nishant with a certificate of recognition during the awards ceremony.
A Team Effort Behind the Camera
The film is a result of dedicated collaboration among a passionate group of young creatives:
Adrija Saha – Assistant Director & Cinematographer
Monoshij Ghosh – Cinematographer & Editor
Purba Majumder – Cinematographer
Atharv Pillai – Original Music Composer
Shivangi Naidu, Arnabi Mallick, and Anurag Das – Subtitling and Accessibility
Together, this team ensured the documentary was not only artistically strong but also accessible to an international audience, thanks to carefully crafted subtitles.
A Moment of Pride for Sikkim and Sikkim University
This recognition marks a significant milestone for Sikkim’s creative community, especially for Sikkim University, which continues to nurture talent across diverse fields. Vaidyanath Nishant’s journey from a student of the university to an internationally recognized filmmaker is now serving as an inspiration to many aspiring storytellers in the region.
His win is more than just a personal achievement — it is a celebration of Sikkim’s cultural richness, academic potential, and the power of meaningful storytelling.
