All We Imagine As Light filmmaker Payal Kapadia shines at Cannes 2025 as Jury Member

All We Imagine As Light filmmaker Payal Kapadia shines at Cannes 2025 as Jury Member

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia made a striking appearance at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, joining the prestigious jury panel for a photocall. This marks a significant return for Kapadia to the French Riviera, just a year after she etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Indian director to win the Grand Prix at Cannes for her debut feature film All We Imagine As Light.

The film, a collaboration between India and France, was a Malayalam-Hindi production that achieved a rare feat — becoming the first Indian film in 30 years to be selected for the Cannes Competition. Her presence on the jury this year solidifies her rising global stature and is a proud moment for Indian cinema.

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For the photocall, Kapadia appeared alongside an impressive list of international cinema figures, including Cannes jury president Juliette Binoche, Hollywood icon Halle Berry, Italian actor Alba Rohrwacher, French-Moroccan writer Leila Slimani, Congolese filmmaker Dieudo Hamadi, Korean director Hong Sangsoo, Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas, and American actor Jeremy Strong.

Kapadia wore a blue blouse paired with a red asymmetrical skirt designed by Payal Khandwala. The ensemble was widely appreciated for its blend of bold color and contemporary elegance. Khandwala had also styled Kapadia earlier this year for the Golden Globes 2025 red carpet, showcasing the continuing creative partnership between the two.

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The Cannes jury panel is tasked with awarding the festival’s top honor — the Palme d’Or — to one of the 21 films in competition. The winners will be announced on May 24 during the festival’s closing ceremony.

Over the years, several Indian film personalities such as Mrinal Sen, Mira Nair, Shekhar Kapur, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Nandita Das, Sharmila Tagore, Vidya Balan, and Deepika Padukone have served on the Cannes jury. With Kapadia’s inclusion, a new chapter unfolds in India’s journey at one of the world’s most respected film festivals, reflecting the country’s growing influence in global cinema.