Filmmaker Payal Kapadia latest work “All We Imagine As Light” has been chosen to compete in the esteemed Competition section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, as announced by the festival organizers on Thursday. Kapadia, renowned for her acclaimed documentary “A Night of Knowing Nothing,” which won the prestigious Oeil d’or (Golden Eye) award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, is set to make a significant impact with her latest entry.
The Cannes Film Festival official website unveiled a comprehensive list of films selected from around the globe to feature in the highly anticipated Competition section. Kapadia’s film joins a lineup of 19 other compelling titles, including works by notable filmmakers such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Scrader, Andrea Arnold, David Cronenberg, and Sean Baker.
Quentin Dupieux “The Second Act” has been chosen as the opening film for the 77th edition of the festival, setting the stage for an exciting showcase of cinematic brilliance. Additionally, the Un Certain Regard section will highlight “Santosh” by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri.
This significant recognition marks a milestone for Indian cinema, as “All We Imagine As Light” becomes one of the few Indian films selected to compete for the coveted Palme d’Or award. The last Indian film to achieve this honor was legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen “Kharij” in 1983. Notable Indian films previously featured in Cannes’ Competition segment include M. S. Sathyu “Garm Hava” (1974) Satyajit Ray’s “Parash Pathar” (1958), Raj Kapoor’s “Awaara” (1953) V Shantaram “Amar Bhoopali” (1952), and Chetan Anand’s “Neecha Nagar” (1946).
This selection underscores the growing recognition and global impact of Indian cinema on the world stage, further solidifying its presence among international audiences and filmmakers alike.