Cannes 2026 spotlights Indian cinema: Restored "Amma Ariyan" debuts, Payal Kapadia heads jury

Cannes, France, May 12. The 79th Cannes Film Festival opened today and runs until May 23. The awards will be announced at the closing ceremony on the night of May 23.

A Malayalam classic reborn in 4K

Shivendu Roy's Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) will present a 4K restoration of John Abraham's 1986 Malayalam masterpiece "Amma Ariyan" — Cannes' only Indian feature world premiere. The film subverts conventional narrative and probes political violence, motherhood, and reconstruction.

Payal Kapadia's honour

"All We Imagine as Light" filmmaker Payal Kapadia will lead the prestigious Critics' Week jury. Her own film won the Grand Prix — Cannes' second-highest honour — last year.

FTII student's Punjabi short

Mehar Malhotra's Punjabi short "Shadows of the Moonless Nights" has been selected for the competitive La Cinef section, dedicated to film-school student work.

Indian films at Marché du Film

"Balan: The Boy" (Tamil), "September 21" (Hindi), and "Gudgudi" (Marathi) will screen at the Marché du Film, the world's largest film market.

India's deepening Cannes connection

The number of Indian films at Cannes has tripled in five years. Central government grants, FHF's restoration work, and a wave of independent filmmakers explain the surge. Last year, the Hindi film "Laapataa Ladies" reaching the Oscar shortlist also boosted international interest.