Payal Kapadia at Cannes jury - A defining moment for Indian cinema on the global stage

Payal Kapadia makes jury debut at the Cannes Film Festival

Last year at Cannes was phenomenal for both Payal Kapadia and Indian cinema as her indie film All We Imagine As Light made history, bagging the Grand Prix. This year, Payal Kapadia returned to Cannes, this time in an even more prestigious capacity. Payal joined the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, not as a competitor, but as a member of the official jury for the main competition.

Her selection marks a rare and meaningful moment for Indian cinema, especially for independent filmmakers and women directors. The jury role isn’t just ceremonial; it signifies global recognition of her artistic voice and a validation of the new wave of Indian storytelling that goes beyond Bollywood conventions.

From Grand Prix winner to global juror

In 2024, Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light, a Malayalam-Hindi film, became the first Indian entry in the Cannes main competition in three decades. Its win of the Grand Prix, the festival’s second-highest honour, made headlines around the world. Her quiet, reflective style and deeply personal storytelling impressed the global audiences and critics alike.

A year later, her return as a jury member at Cannes, alongside names like Juliette Binoche (jury president), Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, and Hong Sang-soo, speaks volumes. It means Indian cinema is no longer just participating at Cannes; it’s shaping it.

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A big win for independent Indian cinema

Payal Kapadia’s presence on the jury symbolises the rise of India’s indie filmmakers on the global circuit. It also marks a significant gender milestone as Payal is one of the few Indian women filmmakers who gained consistent global recognition.

Opening doors for the future

Payal Kapadia’s presence at Cannes 2025 is more than a personal achievement. It’s a symbol of hope and validation for Indian cinema’s future, one that is inclusive, daring, and rooted in local voices that can resonate globally.