Payal Kapadia’s acceptance speech at Cannes 2024 after receiving Grand Prix award!

Payal Kapadia, an Indian director, made history recently when her film All We Imagine as Light won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. In thirty years, this was the first Indian film to be chosen for the "In Competition" section.

Payal gave a touching winning speech Friday night, May 25, when she and the cast of her film went on stage to claim the second-highest accolade at the festival.

Payal Kapadia took center stage on May 25 at the 77th Cannes FilmFestival's awards ceremony to take home the Grand Prix for her movie All We Imagine as Light. She started, “Wow, thank you so much for this.” Speaking before the Greta Gerwig-led jury, Payal conveyed, “It was already a dream to be selected in competition, and this was beyond my imagination, so thank you.”

The All We Imagine As Light's actresses Kani Kusruti, Chhaya Kadam, and Divya Prabha escorted Payal to the stage. The director said, “Because I’m a huge fan of Miguel Gomes, I follow what he does and also invite my actors here on stage. Because without them, I don't think this film would’ve been possible.”

She expressed her appreciation to the actors by saying, “It's three women who have given me so much and really contributed to the film like a family and made it their own. So, thank you, ladies.”

Then Payal went on, stating, “I’m very nervous, so I wrote something down. Thank you very much to the Cannes Film Festival for having our film here. Please don’t wait 30 years to have another Indian film.” She also thanked her producers for supporting her “weird idea” and acknowledged the partners and the entire crew, adding, “It really takes a village to make a film, so it couldn't have been possible without them.”

Regarding the movie, Payal simplified, "This film is about the friendship between three very different women. Oftentimes, women are pitted against each other. This is the way our society is designed, and that's really unfortunate. But for me, friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity, and empathy towards each other, which is why these are the values that I feel we should all be striving for.”

Payal continued by praising the festival's backstage crew for their amazing effort and the seamless operation of the occasion.

 

Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light wins Grand Prix award at Cannes 2024!

A number of photos of the All WeImagine As Light crew dancing on the 77th Cannes Film Festival red carpet have been making waves on the internet. It is certainly cause for excitement that the film has received a Palme d'Or nomination at Cannes.

The team earned the Grand Prix, the festival's second-highest honor, despite not taking home the coveted trophy.

Indian filmmakers are making waves and taking home major prizes on international stages. Payal Kapadia, for example, won the Grand Prix at Cannes 2024 for her film All We Imagine As Light. Indians won the second-highest prize at the international film festival, which came to an end on May 25.

Making a formal declaration of the same, the Festival de Cannes' X account wrote, “Le Grand Prix est attribué à ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT de PAYAL KAPADIA. The Jury Prize goes to ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT by PAYAL KAPADIA.” (sic)

With this victory, the film becomes the first Grand Prix winner from India. To those who are unaware, All We Imagine As Light overcame the 30-year-old curse of India to contend for the coveted Palme d'Or prize in Cannes. May 23, 2024, was its festival debut.