Recently, Payal Kapadia achieved a milestone by becoming the first Indian filmmaker to receive the Grand Prix award for her film “All We Imagine as Light” at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This remarkable accomplishment has sparked a wave of pride and admiration across the country. Following her historic win, Kapadia has now released a statement on Facebook, where she passionately urged the Indian government to extend more substantial support to independent filmmakers by providing them with necessary funds.
In her heartfelt message, Payal Kapadia highlighted the pressing need to support burgeoning independent filmmakers. She shared her experiences from Cannes, where she often faced a repeated question: “Why does it take 30 years for an Indian film to be selected?” Reflecting on this, she shared, “I did pose this question to the selection committee, but it’s also a question we must direct towards ourselves. Why are we not able to support more independent filmmakers? One significant reason I managed to create this film is thanks to the French public funding system, which I believe merits a discussion.”
Kapadia elaborated on the French funding mechanism, explaining, “In France, a small tax is levied on each and every ticket sale of a film and also on TV channels. This tax contributes to the CNC fund, which offers financial support to independent producers and directors.” She emphasized that such a system has made a substantial difference in allowing filmmakers like her to bring their visions to life and called for a similar model to be adopted in India to empower artistic voices.
Further, Kapadia proposed an adaptation of this model to suit the Indian context. “While charging audiences a tax might seem rather unfair in our country, a levy on the profits of blockbuster films could certainly contribute to an independent film fund,” she suggested. Kapadia stressed that the establishment of such a system, managed by an autonomous body, would secure and nurture independent filmmaking. “For a democratic society to flourish, it’s crucial that voices remain independent from large studios run by wealthy industrialists,” she asserted.
In her statement, Kapadia also commended the pioneering efforts of the Kerala Government, which has instituted a fund aimed at supporting female filmmakers and those from under-represented castes.
. She said, “This initiative is the need of the hour. While many well-intentioned individuals in the film industry have founded their own production houses, they often only support filmmakers they are familiar with. An autonomous system with representative governance could open doors for filmmakers who lack pre-existing industry connections. The government should play the role of facilitator rather than producer, allowing independent producers to seek funding support.”
Expressing her gratitude, Payal Kapadia acknowledged the support she received from the Kerala film industry. “I am deeply thankful to the people in Kerala’s film industry. Numerous well-established actors and producers were incredibly supportive of our team, despite me being an outsider. They did not carry airs of stardom and were willing to give me their time and attention. This openness extended to distributors and exhibitors in Kerala, who are more inclined to screen art house films, demonstrating an audience willing to embrace a diversity of cinematic experiences.”
Concluding her heartfelt plea, Kapadia called upon the Indian government to strive for a more equitable society. “As we approach the election results, I urge whoever comes into power to work towards a society where every individual has the right to access our country’s resources, which should not be confined to the hands of a select few,” she wrote. She stressed that these resources are not just material but also cultural, encompassing education and access to the arts. “It is our duty as citizens to hold every government accountable for ensuring access to these invaluable resources.”
Kapadia’s historic win and subsequent call to action serve as a pivotal reminder of the potential of independent voices in shaping the cinematic landscape, advocating for a system that nurtures creativity and diversity in the arts.
