Latest news with #RishiValleySchool
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cannes 2025: Who is Payal Kapadia? An Indian filmmaker who joined the jury panel after a historic Grand Prix win
Last year was a landmark moment for both Payal Kapadia and Indian cinema when her indie film All We Imagine As Light made history by winning the prestigious Grand Prix at Cannes. This year, she stunned the red carpet in an even more distinguished role. For the 78th edition of the festival in 2025, Payal Kapadia joined the official jury for the main competition, not as a contender, but as a judge. Well, her selection for the jury at Cannes marks a rare and meaningful moment for Indian cinema, especially for the independent filmmakers and women directors. The role of the jury isn't just ceremonial; it also marks a global recognition of her unique artistic voice. This affirms the rise of a new Indian storytelling that breaks away from traditional Bollywood norms. Payal Kapadia at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 💙❤️#Payal #PayalKapadia Who is Payal Kapadia? Payal Kapadia is a renowned Indian filmmaker who captured global attention in 2024 by winning the Grand Prix for her debut feature, All We Imagine As Light, and this year, she has returned to the French Film Festival as a jury member. Her appointment as a juror follows the success she enjoyed at the 77th edition of the festival, making her presence on the jury panel a complete circle moment in her Cannes journey. The 39-year-old director was spotted walking the red carpet on Tuesday at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. She represented India among an international panel of distinguished filmmakers and artists. Payal was born on January 4, 1986, and was immersed in creative arts from an early age. Her mother, Nalini Malani, was also a celebrated painter and video artist, while her father, Shailesh Kapadia, was a psychoanalyst. Kapadia attended the Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh and did her bachelor's at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai. Following this, the director went to Sophia College for Women for her master's. She later pursued her film direction at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). A big win for independent Indian cinema At FTII, Kapadia made her name and was recognised not only for her filmmaking skills but also for her activism, especially for protesting against the controversial appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the institute's chairman. Additionally, for the 70th Cannes Film Festival, which took place in 2017, her short film Afternoon Clouds was the only Indian entry selected, further establishing her international credentials.
Mint
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who is Payal Kapadia? Meet Indian origin Cannes Film Festival 2025 jury member and 'All We Imagine As Light' filmmaker
Payal Kapadia, who made headlines last year and etched her name in history by securing the Grand Prix for her debut feature film "All We Imagine As Light", came onboard as Cannes Film Festival 2025 jury member. Her return to the French Riviera as a panellist a year later is notable after her success at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. On Tuesday, the 39-year-old filmmaker was spotted at the red carpet of the 78th edition of the prestigious gala as one of the panellists. Born on January 4 in 1986, Payal Kapadia was able to explore films and theatre at a very young age as she was born to painter and video artist, Nalini Malani, while her father, Shailesh Kapadia, was a psychoanalyst. An alumnus of Andhra Pradesh's Rishi Valley School, she graduated from Mumbai's St Xavier's College and obtained her master's degree from Sophia College for Women. Later on, she obtained a degree in film direction from the Film and Television Institute of India. Her time at Film and Television Institute was notable as she played a critical role in the protest against the appointment of actor-politician Gajendra Chauhan as chairman of the institute. Her accolades are not limited to the recent Grand Prix, other noteworthy achievements include selection of her short film -the only Indian film - 'Afternoon Clouds' in 2017 for the 70th Cannes Film Festival. She was honoured with the Golden Eye award for her debut feature 'A Night of Knowing Nothing' in the best documentary film category at the 74th Cannes Film Festival. It is important to note that 'All We Imagine as Light' also found a place in the nomination list of the Golden Globe Award for Best Director. At the Cannes 2025, Payal Kapadia said to reporters, 'Our film coming to Cannes and getting the recognition, and all of you (press) writing about it, really helped us to get the film out. And, even the distribution in India was really helped by that. So, I'm really grateful.' Cannes Film Festival 2025's other jury members include Juliette Binoche, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Alba Rohrwacher, Leïla Slimani, Dieudo Hamadi, Hong Sangsoo, and Carlos Reygadas.
