Against The Tide Triumphs at Two Prestigious Film Festivals

Sarvnik Kaur’s Sundance-winning documentary, “Against The Tide,” achieved a remarkable feat by clinching two top awards at two highly esteemed film festivals, all in a single day.

Glittering Accolades

This remarkable film earned the coveted ‘Golden Gateway Award’ at the 23rd Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival and was honored as the ‘Best Documentary Film’ at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2023. These accolades are a testament to the film’s exceptional storytelling and powerful message.

A Trail of Success

“Against The Tide” has now secured a total of ten awards, demonstrating its outstanding quality and impact on audiences worldwide. It was also bestowed with a Special Jury Prize in Vérité Filmmaking at Sundance Film Festival 2023, the UN Perception Change Award at Visions du Réel 2023, the Grand Jury Prize in the Documentary Competition at Seattle IFF 2023, the Sustainable Future Award at Sydney IFF 2023, and the Best Feature Award at Ice Docs 2023. Furthermore, it recently claimed the title of Best Documentary at the International South Asian Film Festival Canada.

A Standout in South Asia Competition

“Against The Tide” stood out as the sole documentary selected among 14 features in the South Asia Competition section. This recognition underscores the uniqueness and compelling narrative of the film.

Unveiling a Captivating Story

This 97-minute cinematic masterpiece, presented in Koli, Marathi, and Hindi languages, revolves around the lives of two indigenous Koli fishermen in Mumbai. Their friendship is tested as they grapple with the challenges of a dying sea, each choosing a different path to provide for their struggling families.

Words of Gratitude

National Award-winning filmmaker Sarvnik Kaur expressed her excitement and gratitude for the recent awards. She stated, “Last night was something special for Against the Tide as we bagged 2 top awards at 2 prestigious festivals. ATT is awarded the best documentary at Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the Golden Gate at Jio MaMi. We are so honored and humbled to receive these awards. It’s not just a recognition of the craft and years of toil by my crew but also a recognition of the heroic efforts by the Kolis to live in this apathetic city with dignity and pride. This award is not mine; it belongs to Ganesh, Rakesh, and all the other Kolis who persevere with their ancestral value systems and give us the space to call this city our homes.”

Koval Bhatia the Producer’s perspective

Koval Bhatia, the producer, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We are absolutely thrilled to receive the recognition from these incredible institutions: both MAMI and APSA play such an important role in platforming cinema. We hope the tide continues to turn for Indian non-fiction and independent cinema, and that these awards help our film reach more audiences. We’re excited for where this journey takes us next.”

The Stellar Team Behind the Scenes

“Against The Tide” boasts an exceptional team behind its creation. Atanas Georgiev (known for “Honeyland”) and Blagoja Nedelkovki handled the film’s editing, while Moinak Bose served as the sound designer. Igor Vasilev’s musical composition added depth and emotion to the narrative.

A Collaborative Endeavor

The film was produced by Snooker Club Films and A Little Anarky Films, in co-production with Les Films de l’Œil Sauvage, with the generous support of International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), Doc Society Climate Story Fund, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Catapult Film Fund, Chicken & Egg Pictures, the Sundance Institute, SFFILM, AlterCine Foundation, and Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, in collaboration with the CNC, Procirep Angoa.

In conclusion, “Against The Tide” is not just a documentary but a powerful testament to the human spirit, the importance of environmental awareness, and the resilience of the indigenous Koli community. Its numerous awards are a well-deserved recognition of its excellence and the dedicated efforts of its entire team. As the film continues to make waves on the international stage, it’s clear that its impact will extend far beyond the silver screen.