Payal Kapadia’s captivating drama "All We Imagine as Light" won the Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, securing her a place in film history.

The movie tells the story of two Kerala nurses in contemporary Mumbai and made history by being the first Indian film to compete in Cannes’ main category after a 30-year hiatus.

"All We Imagine As Light" Makes History at Cannes

During the festival’s closing night, Payal Kapadia shared the spotlight with cast members including Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam. In her acceptance speech, Kapadia said, "Please don't wait another 30 years to have an Indian film."

All We Imagine As Light
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The last Indian film to compete for the Palme d’Or was "Swaham," directed by Shaji N Karun in 1994. The Grand Prix, the second highest honor after the Palme d’Or, was presented to "All We Imagine As Light."

The film received one of the longest standing ovations at this year’s festival, an impressive eight minutes, after its May 23 screening. The festival also showcased works from Yorgos Lanthimos, Paolo Sorrentino, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Schrader.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival jury included luminaries such as Greta Gerwig, Lily Gladstone, Hirokazu Koreeda, Eva Green, Omar Sy, and Ebru Ceylan.

All We Imagine As Light
Image Source:Wikipedia

Payal Kapadia honed her filmmaking skills at the esteemed Film & Television Institute of India (FTII). She gained recognition with her critically acclaimed documentary "A Night of Knowing Nothing," which was featured at the Director’s Fortnight sidebar of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and won the coveted Oeil d’or (Golden Eye) prize.

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