Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia has made history by becoming the first Indian director to receive a nomination for Best Director at the Golden Globes. Her film, All We Imagine As Light, has also been nominated for Best Non-English Language Motion Picture, further establishing its significance in the realm of global cinema. In the category for Best Non-English Language Motion Picture, All We Imagine As Light is in competition with several esteemed international films, including France’s Emilia Perez, which leads this year’s nominations, as well as The Girl With the Needle, I’m Still Here, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Vermiglio. For the Best Director accolade, Payal Kapadia is recognized alongside distinguished filmmakers such as Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), and Coralie Fargeat (The Substance).
All We Imagine As Light, a co-production between India and France, premiered in competition at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first Indian film to compete in three decades and winning the esteemed Grand Prix. The film has also garnered the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Best International Feature at the Gotham Awards, and Best International Film at the New York Film Critics Circle, among various other honors. The story centers on Prabha, a nurse facing personal struggles, and her roommate Anu, set in a coastal town. With a remarkable cast that includes Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, the film delves into themes of resilience and self-discovery. Kapadia’s remarkable achievement underscores the increasing acknowledgment of Indian cinema on the international stage, with the Golden Globes recognizing the richness and diversity of global storytelling.
