Payal Kapadia, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, has been appointed the president of the jury for the 65th Cannes Critics' Week, which is renowned for highlighting emerging filmmakers. The jury will include notable personalities such as Quebecois actor Théodore Pellerin and Ghanaian-British producer Ama Ampadu. This year's Critics' Week will showcase 11 films, with seven competing for prestigious awards, selected from over 1,050 submissions. Kapadia's own film, All We Imagine As Light, premiered at Cannes in 2024 and won the Grand Prix. She has previously received accolades for her documentary, A Night of Knowing Nothing, and her short films have also been recognized at major festivals. Kapadia reflects on the crucial role of film festivals in nurturing new voices in cinema, emphasizing the need to support independent filmmakers during challenging times for the industry. She believes that first films often embody unique artistic expressions and deserve to be championed.