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Payal Kapadia to Lead Cannes Critics' Week Jury After Historic Grand Prix Win

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who recently won the Grand Prix at Cannes for 'All We Imagine as Light', is returning to the festival as the President of the Jury for the 65th Critics' Week. She will be joined by an international jury including actor Théodore Pellerin and producer Ama Ampadu. Kapadia's work is noted for its poetic yet politically charged exploration of Indian society, particularly focusing on women's lives and class struggles. She emphasizes the critical role festivals and criticism play in nurturing fragile first films and resisting homogenizing market forces.

Key Points: Payal Kapadia Named President of Cannes Critics' Week Jury

  • Historic return after Grand Prix win
  • To preside over Critics' Week jury
  • Champions independent & first films
  • Jury includes international artists
  • Career built on festival support
2 min read

Payal Kapadia sets Cannes return, serves as president of the jury for the French Riviera

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, 2024 Grand Prix winner, will preside over the jury for the 65th Critics' Week at the Cannes Film Festival.

"supporting the first works of filmmakers is almost a resistance to the market forces - Payal Kapadia"

Los Angeles, April 22

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, whose film 'All We Imagine as Light' bagged the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, is set to return to the festival.

However, this time, she will serve as president of the jury for the 65th edition of Critics' Week in Cannes Film Festival, reports 'Variety'.

She will be joined on the jury by Quebecois actor Théodore Pellerin, singer-songwriter Oklou, Ghanaian-British producer Ama Ampadu, and journalist and director of the Bangkok World Film Festival Donsaron Kovitvanitcha.

Payal Kapadia has, over the course of six short and feature-length films, "crafted a body of work where poetry contrasts with her unflinching political take on her country" Critics' Week said in a statement.

"This duality underpins the power of her cinema, a universe that summons all forms to convey folk myths, and bring to the fore invisible lives, class struggle, and the realities of women's lives", they added.

As per 'Variety', after studying directing at the Film & Television Institute of India in Pune, her short films 'Afternoon Clouds' and 'And What Is the Summer Saying' were selected at the Cinéfondation and the Berlinale.

Her first feature documentary 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' was selected at the Directors' Fortnight in 2021 and won L'Oeil d'Or for Best Documentary. In 2024, the Cannes Film Festival awarded the Grand Prix to her second feature, 'All We Imagine as Light'.

She said, "My own journey as a filmmaker was supported early on because of film festival selections. Through these I had the opportunity to meet others like myself from across the world and helped me build a community of future collaborators. At a time where independent cinema is being eroded in every country, supporting the first works of filmmakers is almost a resistance to the market forces".

"Film criticism is one of the key components of the independent and art-house film ecosystem. The first films are often freer, more daring and fearless, having an individual voice and to champion those is absolutely essential. First films are also fragile and to be nurtured in a section like Critics' Week, helps them blossom amongst already established filmmaker's work", she added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is fantastic news. It's high time Indian cinema beyond just Bollywood got its due on the world stage. Her focus on "invisible lives" and women's realities is what makes her work so powerful. More power to her!
A
Aman W
While I'm happy for her success, I do wonder if such festivals are becoming echo chambers. Her statement about "resistance to market forces" is noble, but how many people in India actually get to see these celebrated films? The gap between festival darlings and audience reach is still huge.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows global cinema, this is a brilliant appointment. Critics' Week is where you discover raw talent. Having an Indian filmmaker with her sensibilities at the helm will bring a vital perspective. Can't wait to see what films she champions.
K
Karthik V
FTII Pune producing yet another world-class talent! 🎬 Her journey is an inspiration for all the young filmmakers struggling outside the mainstream system. Hope this encourages more investment and theatre space for independent Indian films.
N
Nisha Z
"Poetry contrasts with her unflinching political take" – this is exactly what we need more of. Cinema that is beautiful but doesn't shy away from hard truths. Jai ho, Payal Kapadia! Making us proud on the French Riviera.

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