How Indian Directors Are Taking Their Own Stories to the World in 2026 There was a time when Indian cinema’s international identity was often reduced to a few familiar ingredients: Bollywood songs, elaborate weddings, colourful costumes and the occasional art-house film that festival audiences discovered almost by accident. In 2026, that picture looks considerably different. Indian filmmakers are increasingly arriving at the world’s major film festivals not simply as representatives of a large film industry, but as individual cinematic voices. The most visible example is Payal Kapadia, who became president of the jury for the 65th Cannes Critics’ Week in 2026. Critics’ Week runs alongside the main Cannes Film Festival and is particularly focused on emerging filmmakers. Kapadia’s appointment followed her historic 2024 Grand Prix win for All We Imagine as Light. That progression is worth noticing. First, a filmmaker’s film is selected. Then it competes. Then it wins. And eventually, the filmmaker returns to help decide which new voices deserve attention. Cinema has a funny way of turning yesterday’s newcomer into tomorrow’s gatekeeper. Payal Kapadia’s Cannes journey is bigger than one award Kapadia’s story did not begin with the Grand Prix. Her film All We Imagine as Light was
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