Payal Kapadia became the first Indian filmmaker to win the prestigious Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival for her film "All We Imagine as Light."
The film also holds the distinction of being the first Indian film in 30 years, and the first by a female Indian director, to be showcased in the main competition.
Kapadia's acceptance speech was filled with gratitude. She thanked the jury members, acknowledging the fulfilment of a dream to be included in the competition. She highlighted the importance of female friendships; a theme explored in the film, and expressed her appreciation for the film's cast, Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, sharing a hug with them onstage.
"All We Imagine as Light" screened on Thursday and follows a 30-year gap in Indian films being selected for the Cannes main competition. The last Indian film to achieve this feat was Shaji N Karun's "Swaham" in 1994.
In her speech, Kapadia urged the festival to embrace more Indian cinema, stating, "Please don't wait 30 years to have another Indian film." She extended her thanks to producers, crew, partners, and even festival workers who protested for better working conditions.
