Cannes 2024: Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’ to compete for the Palme d’Or

Payal Kapadia's film "All We Imagine as Light" has been selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone as the first Indian title to be featured in the In Competition section of the festival in over 40 years. The In Competition section is the main competitive category of the festival, where films vying for the Palme d'Or award are screened.

The last Indian film to have been in the In Competition section was Mrinal Sen's "Akaler Sandhane Zindabad" (1977), which was also a groundbreaking moment as it was the first Indian film ever to be selected in this category. Since then, Indian films have been featured in other sections of the festival, but none have been in the main competition.

Payal Kapadia, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, has made a name for herself with her experimental and thought-provoking films. Her previous works include "A Night of Knowing Nothing" (2019) and "The Last Reel" (2016). "All We Imagine as Light" is her latest project, and its selection at Cannes is a testament to her artistic vision and talent.

The film explores themes of memory, identity, and perception through a collage of archival footage, found images, and personal stories. The title "All We Imagine as Light" refers to the idea that all our experiences and memories are illuminated by the light of consciousness. The film promises to be a unique and thought-provoking exploration of these themes, and its inclusion in the In Competition section of Cannes is a recognition of its artistic merit and potential impact on the global film scene.

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to take place from May 16 to May 27, 2024, and "All We Imagine as Light" will be one of the highly anticipated films in the competition. The Palme d'Or award, one of the most prestigious awards in world cinema, will be presented to the winning film on May 27, 2024, during the closing ceremony of the festival. The selection of "All We Imagine as Light" in the In Competition section is a significant moment not only for Payal Kapadia and her team but also for Indian cinema as a whole, and it is a testament to the richness and diversity of global filmmaking.