Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia will return to the Cannes Film Festival as the jury president for the 65th edition of Critics’ Week, following her previous success at the festival.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, known for her acclaimed film “All We Imagine as Light,” which won the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, is set to return to Cannes as the president of the jury for the 65th edition of Critics’ Week.
Joining Kapadia on the jury are Quebecois actor Théodore Pellerin, singer-songwriter Oklou, Ghanaian-British producer Ama Ampadu, and Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, a journalist and director of the Bangkok World Film Festival.
In a statement, Critics’ Week praised Kapadia’s body of work, highlighting her ability to blend poetry with a strong political perspective on her country through her six short and feature-length films.
“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,” the statement added.
Kapadia studied directing at the Film & Television Institute of India in Pune. Her short films “Afternoon Clouds” and “And What Is the Summer Saying” received recognition at prestigious events such as the Cinéfondation and the Berlinale.
Her first feature documentary, “A Night of Knowing Nothing,” was selected for Directors’ Fortnight in 2021 and won L’Oeil d’Or for Best Documentary. In 2024, her second feature, “All We Imagine as Light,” was awarded the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
Reflecting on her new role, Kapadia expressed gratitude for the support she received early in her career from film festivals. “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,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of nurturing emerging filmmakers, especially at a time when independent cinema faces significant challenges globally. “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,” Kapadia stated.
Kapadia also highlighted the crucial role of film criticism in 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 filmmakers’ work,” she added.
According to IANS, Kapadia’s leadership at Critics’ Week is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the festival, fostering a supportive environment for new talent.