‘Khoonta’, a Hindi film written and directed by Anushi Sharma, who also acted in it, was screened at Cannes Film Festival Market Premiere May 16, following which it went on to win the Best Foreign Feature Film Award at the London Independent Film Festival 2026.
United States-based filmmaker Mukesh Modi was the producer.
Considered a breakthrough for Himachali films, Khoonta is set in a village and portrays life, faith, and tradition in the Himalayan region while addressing critical environmental issues facing the mountains today.
The London Independent Film Festival (LIFF), which began in 2016, focuses on “first- and second-time filmmakers telling amazing stories with limited budgets,” its website says. Hosted every spring and autumn at Genesis cinema, the LIFF screened the work of almost 100 filmmakers from around the world this May.
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The film makers of Khoonta strove to preserve authenticity by having Himachali actors play the parts.
“Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas and inspired by the spiritual traditions associated with Mahasu Maharaj, KHOONTA tells a compelling story deeply rooted in the culture, beliefs, and heritage of the mountain communities,” said a press release from Mukesh Modi’s Indie Films Inc and D Star Entertainment. “The award further establishes KHOONTA as a significant voice in contemporary independent cinema and highlights the growing global appreciation for stories emerging from the Himalayan region,” it adds.