Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia is once again in global headlines after being named the president of the jury for the 65th edition of Cannes Critics’ Week. The section runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival and highlights new and emerging voices in cinema. The announcement marks another major international recognition for Payal Kapadia, following the success of her film All We Imagine As Light.
Her appointment is seen as a big moment for Indian independent cinema. She will lead an international jury panel that includes actor Theodore Pellerin, singer-songwriter Oklou, producer Ama Ampadu, and journalist Donsaron Kovitvanitcha. The Critics’ Week edition is scheduled to run from May 13 to May 21 and is known for discovering fresh global talent.
Payal Kapadia: Cannes Rise And Global Recognition
Payal Kapadia’s global journey gained major momentum after All We Imagine As Light won the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2024. The film also made history as the first Indian entry in the festival’s main competition in three decades.
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In 2025, she returned to Cannes as part of the main competition jury that selected the festival’s top prize. The award went to Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident. With each appearance, Payal Kapadia has strengthened her position as a powerful voice in world cinema.
Payal Kapadia And The ‘Accused No. 25’ Tag Explained
Before her global success, Payal Kapadia was once linked to a controversial chapter during her student days. She was referred to as “Accused No. 25” in a chargesheet filed during protests at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 2015.
The protest was part of a 139-day movement against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairman. Students opposed the decision, arguing that it affected the institute’s artistic direction. Payal Kapadia was among the active participants in the movement.
The situation escalated after an incident on August 17, 2015, when students allegedly gheraoed the office of then-director Prashant Pathrabe. This led to a police action on campus and the arrest of several students. Later, 35 students were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including unlawful assembly and rioting. Kapadia’s name appeared as “Accused No. 25” in the chargesheet.
The case gained renewed attention after her Cannes success in 2024, with many pointing out the contrast between her global recognition and the long-pending legal case back home.
Her Film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ And Its Impact
All We Imagine As Light is an Indo-French production that follows the emotional journeys of two nurses, Prabha and Anu, in Mumbai. Their lives take a turn after personal challenges push them toward a transformative trip to a coastal town.
The film received widespread critical praise and multiple international honours. It also helped establish Payal Kapadia as one of the most important new voices in global independent cinema.
As of early 2026, the FTII-related case remains unresolved in court. However, Payal Kapadia continues to receive global recognition.
