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To fulfill her mission, she will be joined by Quebecois actor Théodore Pellerin, singer-songwriter Oklou, Ghanaian-British producer Ama Ampadu, and journalist and director of the Bangkok World Film Festival Donsaron Kovitvanitcha.
Born in 1986 in Mumbai, filmmaker Payal Kapadia has, over the course of just six short and feature films, crafted a body of work where poetry contrasts with her unflinching political take on her country. This duality underpins the power of her cinema, a universe that summons all forms to convey folk myths, and bring to the fore invisible lives, class struggle, and the realities of women’s lives.
After studying directing at the Film & Television Institute of India, Pune, her short films Afternoon Clouds and And What is the Summer Saying were selected at the Cinéfondation and the Berlinale. Her first feature documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing was selected at the Directors’ Fortnight in 2021 and won L’Oeil d’Or for Best Documentary.
Payal Kapadia: “My own journey as a filmmaker was supported early on because of film festival selections. Through these I had the opportunity to meet others like myself from across the world and helped me build a community of future collaborators”
In 2024, the Cannes Film Festival awarded the Grand Prix to her second feature, All We Imagine as Light, propelling her among the most talented filmmakers of her generation. Mindful of the challenges young creators face, she enthusiastically embraces her role as President of the jury:
“At a time where independent cinema is being eroded in every country, supporting the first works of filmmakers is almost a resistance to the market forces. Film criticism is one of the key components of the independent and art house film ecosystem. The first films are often freer, more daring and fearless, having an individual voice and to champion those is absolutely essential. First films are also fragile and to be nurtured in a section like Critics Week, helps them blossom amongst already established filmmaker's work.”
Payal Kapadia will present La Semaine de la Critique Ami Paris Grand Prize for best feature film, the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award for best actor or actress, and the Sony Discovery Prize for best short film.
La Semaine de la Critique will be held in Cannes May 13th to 21st.
To download pictures and the poster, click here
THE JURY MEMBERS:
With the support of 