Filmmaker Payal Kapadia made history at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival as her drama, All We Imagine as Light, clinched the prestigious Grand Prix award.
The film, marking Kapadia’s directorial debut, secured its place in cinematic lore as the first Indian film in three decades and the first ever by an Indian women director to grace the festival’s main competition.
A post on Instagram by the Festival de Cannes read, “Le Grand Prix est attribue a All We imagine as Light de Payal Kapadia. The Jury Prize goes to All We imagine as Light by Payal Kapadia.#Cannes2024 #Palmares #Awards #GrandPrix”
Receiving thunderous applause, the film’s screening garnered an eight-minute standing ovation.
Set against the backdrop of a bustling city, All We Imagine as Light is the story of Prabha, a nurse, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a mysterious gift from her estranged husband.
Accompanied by her roommate Anu, the duo takes on a journey to a coastal town, where the mystical forest serves as a sanctuary for their dreams.
All We Imagine as Light stands as an Indo-French collaboration, co-produced by Petit Chaos from France and Chalk and Cheese Films from India.
The film marks the feature film debut of Payal Kapadia. Before this, she won the Golden Eye award at Cannes for her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing.
The Cannes Film Festival started on May 14.
PM Modi congratulates Payal Kapadia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated filmmaker Payal Kapadia after her film All We Imagine As Light won the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
This prestigious accolade not only honours her exceptional skills but also inspires a new generation of Indian filmmakers.”
Taking to his official handle X, he wrote, “India is proud of Payal Kapadia for her historic feat of winning the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her work All We Imagine as Light. (ANI)