Payal Kapadia's film All We Imagine as Light won Grand Prix

Indian Cinema's Triumph at Cannes

GrandPrix Winner:

77th Cannes Film Festival witnessed a historic moment for Indian cinema as Payal Kapadia's film 'All We Imagine As Light' won the prestigious Grand Prix award, the second-highest honor at the festival. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as Kapadia becomes the first Indian filmmaker to receive this coveted accolade.

'All We Imagine As Light' is a poignant portrayal of the lives of two nurses, offering a compelling exploration of their experiences. The film's nomination for the esteemed Palme d'Or, the highest award at Cannes, further underscores its artistic and cinematic excellence.

Government Support and Co-production Efforts:

Kapadia's film was granted the official Indo-French co-production status by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, under the signed Audio-Visual treaty between India and France. The Ministry also facilitated the film's shooting in Maharashtra, granting permission for locations in Ratnagiri and Mumbai. Additionally, the film received interim approval for 30% of the qualifying co-production expenditure under the Government of India's Incentives Scheme for Official Co-productions.

FTII Alumni Shine at Cannes

The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has reason to celebrate as its alumni have achieved remarkable success at Cannes:

Chidananda S Naik's 'SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW' Chidananda S Naik, a student at FTII, bagged the first prize in the La Cinef section for his 15-minute short film 'SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW,' based on Kannada folklore. This achievement highlights the exceptional talent nurtured at FTII and its contribution to Indian cinema on the global stage.

Maisam Ali's 'In Retreat' Another FTII alumnus, Maisam Ali, had his film 'In Retreat' screened at the ACID Cannes sidebar program, further showcasing the diverse range of talent emerging from the institute.

Celebrating India's Cinematic Legacy

Honoring Shyam Benegal's 'Manthan':

The Festival celebrated the work of the renowned Indian director Shyam Benegal. After 48 years of its release in India, Benegal's iconic film 'Manthan,' preserved at the National Film Archives of India (NFDC-NFAI) and restored by the Film Heritage Foundation, was showcased in the classic section at Cannes. This recognition highlights the festival's appreciation for India's rich cinematic heritage and its enduring impact on global cinema.

Recognizing Exceptional Talent:

The 2024 Cannes Film Festival also recognized the exceptional talent of Indian artists in various fields:

1. Santosh Sivan: The celebrated cinematographer became the first Asian to be awarded the prestigious Pierre Angénieux Tribute award, honoring his exceptional career and quality of work in Indian cinema.

2. Anasuya Sengupta: Sengupta made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Best Actress award for her performance in 'The Shameless' in the 'Un Certain Regard' category, further amplifying India's presence at the festival.