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Kapadia to Helm Cannes Critics' Week Jury
22 Apr
Summary
- Payal Kapadia will preside over the 65th Cannes Critics' Week jury.
- She is recognized for blending poetry with unflinching political commentary.
- Her films highlight invisible lives and class struggles.

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia will lead the jury for the 65th Critics' Week at the Cannes Film Festival. Her cinematic work is noted for its powerful blend of poetic expression and direct political commentary on India. Kapadia's films delve into themes of folk myths, hidden lives, class struggles, and women's realities. Previously, her documentary 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' won an award at Cannes in 2021. Her second feature, 'All We Imagine as Light,' earned the Grand Prix in 2024. Kapadia emphasizes the crucial role of film festivals in supporting emerging talent and independent cinema.
She believes that championing first-time filmmakers is a vital act of resistance against commercial pressures. Kapadia highlighted that independent cinema and film criticism are essential components of the art-house ecosystem. She described first films as often being freer and more daring, possessing an individual voice that needs nurturing. Kapadia will present awards including the Ami Paris Grand Prize, the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award, and the Sony Discovery Prize.