All We Imagine as Light Gets Cannes Grand Prix Award for Payal Kapadia

Payal Kapadia’s directed film All We Imagine as Light made history at the 77th Cannes Film when it ‘ won the Grand Prix prize in the feature film segment.  Payal Kapadia became the first Indian to win the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival. Another Indian Cinematographer, Santosh Sivan, became the first Asian to win the prestigious Pierre Angénieux Tribute Award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Payal Kapadia’s film and Santosh Sivan Bags the Award

For the first time after 30 years, an Indian film,’ All We Imagine as Light’ directed by Payal Kapadia, was nominated for the Palme d'Or or Golden Palm. Golden Palm is the highest category of award in the Cannes Film Festival or feature films. 30 years ago, Shaji N Karun’s ‘Swaham’ film was nominated for the Palme d'Or or Golden Palm award.

Payal Kapadia film won the Grand Prix award in the feature film section which is the second highest award in the section after Palme d'or or Golden Palm. 

Renowned Cinematographer Santosh Sivan became the first Asian to be awarded the prestigious Pierre Angénieux Tribute Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The  Pierre Angénieux Tribute Award honours cinematographers for their careers and exceptional quality of work. 

Four Awards for the Indian’s at the 77th Cannes Film Festival 2024

This year, India has bagged four awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2024. 

• Chidanand Naik bagged the first prize for India. His short film "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” won a prize in the La Cinef section.
• Actress Anasuya Sengupta created history at the Cannes Film Festival by winning the Best Actress award in the Un Certain Regard segment for her film Shameless. 
• Payal Kapadia’s directed film ‘All We Imagine as Light’ won the Grand Prix award.
• Santosh Sivan won the award the prestigious Pierre Angénieux Tribute Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for Cinematography.  

India at the 77th Cannes Film Festival 

For the first time, India hosted the Bharat Parv at the Cannes Film Festival, which was attended by more than 250 delegates. The Bharat Parv focussed on India as a major content hub and an emerging creative economy.

• Celebrated Indian filmmaker and director Shyam Benegal’s film ‘Manthan’ was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in the classic film sector.
• Maisam Ali's film “In Retreat” was screened at the ACID Cannes sidebar programme. It was the first time since 1993 that an Indian film was screened at the section run by the  Association for the Diffusion of Independent Cinema.

77th Cannes Film  Festival Award 2024

• Palme d'Or or Golden Palm for Best Feature Film—Anora Film (United States), Directed by Sean Baker.
• Grand Prix for Best Feature Film- All We Imagine As Light(India-French), Directed by Payal Kapadia.
• Best Director for Feature Film- Miguel Gomes (Portugal) for film Grand Tour.
• Best Actor for Feature Film - Jesse Plemons (United States) for the film Kinds for Kindness.
• Best Actress for Feature Film - Selena Gomez (United States) for film Emilia Perez.
• Special Prize for Feature Film - The Seed for the Sacred Fig (German, France, Iran) directed by Mohammad Rasoulof

The 77th Cannes Film Festival was held in Cannes, France, from 14-25 May 2024. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.