Payal Kapadia’s film “All We Imagine as Light” received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a historic moment for Indian cinema. The film screened in the late-night slot, and the reception was not only a personal triumph for Kapadia but also a significant milestone in Indian filmmaking. This is the first time in three decades that an Indian film has competed for a prestigious award at Cannes.

Kapadia’s debut feature film was shot over 25 days in the sweltering heat of Mumbai and another 25 days in Ratnagiri. “All We Imagine as Light” is a Malayalam-Hindi language film that explores the lives of two young women, Prabha and Anu, and the complexities they face. Prabha, a hardworking nurse in Mumbai, finds her daily life disrupted by an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. Meanwhile, her roommate Anu struggles to find privacy in the bustling city as she lives with her boyfriend.

Kapadia gained international recognition for her documentary “A Night of Knowing Nothing”, which won the Oeil d’Or (Golden Eye) award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

Reflecting on the standing ovation her film received at Cannes, Kapadia said, “India is a country where many great films are made. Not just Bollywood, but every state has its own industry and there are brilliant filmmakers. I hope we don’t have to wait another 30 years after this.”