Kolkata Filmmaker Sriyanka Ray Posthumously receives Emmy for her Short Documentary 'Homeroom Dreams'

By: WE Staff | Monday, 28 October 2024

Sriyanka Ray, a Kolkata-based filmmaker based in the U.S., was posthumously awarded an Emmy for her short documentary "Homeroom Dreams." The film, which focuses on the housing issues faced by homeless students in New York City, won in the education/school—short or long-form content category. This award was Sriyanka's first independent Emmy win as a director and producer, marking her 13th Emmy nomination overall.

Sriyanka passed at the age of 33 from a sudden illness on 30 May 2023, while holidaying in Bolivia. She was an alumna of La Martiniere for Girls and Presidency University and later pursued film studies at Jadavpur University before moving to New York for a master's in 2012. In 2014, she joined BRIC - Arts and Media Institution in Downtown, Brooklyn. Sriyanka's sister, Sanjana expressed joy and grief on receiving her sister's award and mentioned, "The film exposes how New York, despite its status as a thriving metropolis, grapples with a monumental housing problem for people living below the poverty line." Her mother, Ishita Ray mentioned "It is her 13th Emmy nomination, first independent win as director and producer and second as producer. It is such a joyous moment. Our daughter should have been there to receive this award."

Farha Khatun, a National Award-winning filmmaker mentioned, "Sriyanka was a tremendous force in bridging Indian filmmakers with the West."