"At a time when the profession faces increasing dangers in India, the film's faith in the powers of grassroots journalism is nothing short of galvanizing." - Devika Girish, New York Times
"The most inspiring journalism movie — maybe ever. An essential portrait of the fight for press freedom…Writing With Fire reminds us that there are always people who, despite incredible odds, will choose to do this work." - Jason Rezaian, Washington Post
"As this engaging and hopeful documentary by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh shows, words have the power to change things when wielded carefully…‘I believe journalism is the essence of democracy,’ says Meera. Watching this will make you believe it too." - Amber Wilkinson, Screen International
Reporting from a social environment built to divide based on caste and gender, a fearless group of journalists maintain India’s only women-led news outlet. The women of Khabar Lahariya (‘Waves of News’), all from the Dalit (“untouchables") caste, prepare to transition the newspaper from print to digital even though many of their reporters don’t have access to electricity at home. Armed with smartphones, Chief Reporter Meera and her team of investigative journalists confront some of India’s biggest issues - exposing the relentless discrimination against women and amplifying the voices of those who suffer from the oppressive caste system. WRITING WITH FIRE chronicles the astonishing determination of these local reporters as they empower each other and hold those responsible for injustice to account. Reaching new audiences through their growing platform, the women of Khabar Lahariya redefine what it means to be powerful in this timely and inspiring documentary.
Awards: 25 wins, 18 nominations
Nominated – Best Documentary Feature, Academy Awards, 2022
Nominated – Audience Award, Top 5 Audience Award, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, 2021
Winner – IDFA Audience Award, IDFA, 2021
Winner – Golden Gate Award, Best Documentary Film, San Francisco Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Special Jury Prize, Documentary Competition, Seattle International Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Audience Award, World Cinema Documentary, Sundance Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Special Jury Award: Impact for Change, World Cinema Documentary, Sundance Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Special Jury Prize, Best Documentary Feature, Telluride Mountainfilm Festival, 2021
Winner – Best Feature Documentary, Nordic Docs, 2021
Winner – Best Documentary, Oslo Films from the South Festival, 2021
Winner - Silver Horn, Best Film on Social Issues, Krakow Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Justice Matters Award, Best Documentary, Washington DC International Film Festival
Winner – Audience Award, Best Documentary Feature, Wisconsin Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Maysles Brothers Award, Feature Documentary, Belfast Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Checkpoints Award, Bergen International Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Audience Award and Best Feature Documentary, Blackstar Film Festival, 2021
Winner – Cinema Eye Honors Awards, 2022
Nominated – F:ACT Award, CPH:DOX, 2021
Winner – Citizens’ Prize, Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, 2021