Guneet Monga Kapoor launches Women in Film India at Cannes, champions gender equity in cinema
Women in Film India launched by Guneet Monga
Making its global debut in the most cinematic way possible, WIF India kicked off its journey by announcing its first-ever Cannes Producers Fellowship, a dynamic programme designed to boost Indian women producers onto the international stage. The spotlight? Three incredible visionaries who have been shaping narratives and pushing boundaries back home: Tillotama Shome, the critically acclaimed actor who now helms Shadowbox; Rucha Pathak, a seasoned creative mind; and Dimpy Agarwal, an independent filmmaker using cinema to drive social change.
These trailblazers are not just attending Cannes, they are participating in the Producers Network, accessing international co-productions, funding avenues, and invaluable global partnerships.
Guneet Monga calls it structural
'This is not symbolic, it is structural,' Guneet expressed through her bold initiative. Her vision is rooted in real-world impact: mentorships, leadership development, and sustainable access. She envisions WIF India as the scaffolding for future generations of women in entertainment, not just a one-time celebration.
Shefali Bhushan, a key voice in Marathi cinema, also joins this powerful lineup through a special accreditation grant, furthering WIF India's mission to represent India in all its regional diversity.
A platform for women in the screen industry
The initiative, supported by Women in Film Los Angeles (WIF LA) and Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), joins a global sisterhood of over 50 affiliates. According to WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer, this partnership is a key step towards building a truly connected global community of women in the screen industries.
In addition to the glitz, the fellowship also comes with a powerful ripple effect: each producer will bring their learnings back to the Indian community, ensuring that the initiative does not end with Cannes, it begins with it.
With WIF India, Guneet Monga Kapoor is not just raising a toast to Indian talent, she is building the entire table.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Marathi cinema shines bright at 71st National Film Awards
MARATHI CINEMA once again asserted its creative prowess at the 71st National Film Awards, with a diverse range of films clinching honours across critical categories. Marathi filmmakers and artists were celebrated for their contribution to Indian cinema with 'Shyamchi Aai' winning the Best Marathi Feature Film award. Directed by Sujay Sunil Dahake, Shyamchi Aai offered a contemporary cinematic retelling of the classic Marathi novel by Sane Guruji. The jury commended its sensitive exploration of values, sacrifice, and familial bonds set against a rural backdrop. The film was awarded the Rajat Kamal. Marathi cinema has always held a historic legacy at the National Film Awards, being the very first to be recognised at the highest level. In 1954, 'Shyamchi Aai', directed by P.K. Atre, was awarded the President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film, a recognition now known as the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. This heartwarming story of a mother's sacrifice marked the beginning of a prestigious tradition for Marathi films. In the debut category, 'Aatmapamphlet', directed by Ashish Bende, was honoured with the Best Debut Film of a Director in the Feature Film section. The film stood out for its stylised narrative and bold thematic choices, reflecting the inner world of adolescence and rebellion. The film was awarded the Swarna Kamal. Continuing Marathi cinema's strength in children's storytelling, 'Naal 2', directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, received the award for Best Children's Film. The film, a sequel to the 2018 critically acclaimed Naal, appealed to audiences across age groups and earned the Swarna Kamal. In the performance categories, Marathi films dominated the Best Child Artist segment. Three young actors from Naal 2: Treesha Thosar, Shrinivas Pokale, and Bhargav Jagtap, were jointly honoured for their nuanced performances. Additionally, Kabir Khandare was awarded in the same category for his role in 'Gypsy', another Marathi film, which presented a moving narrative of a child's bond with nature and his struggle for acceptance. With these films reflect the diversity and depth of storytelling emerging from Maharashtra, Marathi cinema has once again reaffirmed its place as a vital and dynamic force within the broader spectrum of Indian cinema.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
'Saiyaara' box office day 16: Mohit Suri's film shows strong Saturday surge and growing theatre buzz
Saiyaara continues its impressive box office run, with early estimates placing the day 16 (third Saturday) collection at ₹ 6.35 crore. This brings the total earnings to a formidable ₹ 291.35 crore, as the film edges closer to the ₹ 300 crore milestone. After earning ₹ 107.75 crore in its second week and ₹ 4.5 crore on its third Friday, Saiyaara witnessed a noticeable uptick on Saturday, reflecting growing weekend interest and positive word-of-mouth. Theatre occupancy also showed a strong trend across major cities. Nationally, Saiyaara recorded 34.38% occupancy in evening shows, up from 30.79% in the afternoon and 16.14% in the morning, indicating a steady climb throughout the day. City-wise, Bengaluru led the surge with 58.67% occupancy, followed by Chennai at 48.67%, and Pune at 35.33%. The National Capital Region (NCR) also held firm at 30.67%, while Mumbai stood at 24.33%. Other metros like Hyderabad (31.67%) and Jaipur (32.33%) contributed to the film's momentum. While some cities such as Surat (10%), Bhopal (19.67%), and Kolkata (19%) showed relatively modest numbers, the overall performance across urban centres suggests continued audience engagement. With Sunday yet to come and momentum building, Saiyaara is well on track to surpass ₹ 300 crore in the coming days. The strong Saturday performance has reinforced the film's commercial success, making it one of the top-grossing Hindi releases of the year. Saiyaara has also become the second Indian film of 2025 to cross the ₹ 400-crore mark globally, next only to Chhaava ( ₹ 808 crore). It is now eyeing entry into the prestigious ₹ 500 crore club, possibly by the end of the third weekend. Saiyaara is a romance-drama about Krish Kapoor (Ahaan Panday), a budding musician, and Vaani Batra (Aneet Padda), a shy writer. Through their relationship, the film explores love, loss, and drama.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Google CEO Sundar Pichai makes commentary debut at Oval, predicts ENG vs IND Test series winner; 'I'd put money on…'
Among the many hats that Sundar Pichai has worn over the years, the Google CEO added another to his list when he took up the mic for his commentary debut on Saturday during the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval in London. Known to be an avid cricket fan, Pichai sat beside Harsha Bhogle on live commentary on the third day of the Test match which is poised for a thrilling finish. Although Pichai was in the commentary box for a brief time, the Indian-American business executive made sure he entertained the listeners and viewers with his choice of words.
