Payal Kapadia, who made history last year as the first Indian director in three decades to win a major award in Cannes’ main competition, was honored with France‘s prestigious “Officier dans l’Ordre Arts et des Lettres” (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) distinction on Wednesday in Mumbai.
The award was presented by the Consul General of France at the Residence of France in Mumbai’s upscale Peddar Road area, recognizing Kapadia’s significant contributions to cinema and the cultural relationship between France and India.
“It is an honor and privilege to be conferred with the distinction of Officer of Arts and Letters,” Kapadia said at the ceremony. “I am also very thankful for the French Government’s dedicated support towards independent cinema all over the world.”
The Mumbai-based director has been on a remarkable trajectory since her short film “Afternoon Clouds” was selected for the 70th Cannes Film Festival in 2017. She later won the Golden Eye award for best documentary at the 74th Cannes Film Festival for her debut feature documentary “A Night of Knowing Nothing.”
Kapadia’s career reached new heights in 2024 when she captured the Grand Prix at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her fiction feature debut “All We Imagine as Light,” which she developed during the Cinefondation Cannes Residency in Paris. The achievement marked the first time in 30 years that an Indian film won an award in Cannes’ main competition section, and earned her a Golden Globe nomination for best director as well as fifth place recognition from the influential Cahiers du Cinema.
“All We Imagine as Light,” a French co-production, was shortlisted as France’s entry to the Oscars’ international category.
Kapadia’s experimental short “And what was the Summer Saying” previously won the special jury prize at the International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam in 2018 and the Pramod Pati best experimental film prize at the Mumbai International Film festival in 2020.
Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet, Consul General of France in Mumbai, said: “I am delighted to confer the distinction of Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on Payal, whose journey illustrates the power of cinema to transcend borders, break down barriers, and create understanding. Through her work, she has not only deepened our understanding of India’s deepest voices, but also contributed significantly to the cultural dialogue between France and India, strengthening our ties and enriching our cultural landscape.”
Following her Cannes triumph, Kapadia collected additional accolades for “All We Imagine as Light” at the Asian Film Awards, British Independent Film Awards, and San Sebastian Film Festival, among others.
Kapadia joins an illustrious group of Indian artists who have previously received French government honors, including Sivaji Ganesan, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, Richa Chadha, and acclaimed director Shaji N. Karun.
The “Officier des Arts et des Lettres” distinction is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their creativity in art, culture, and literature, or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and worldwide.
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