26.05.2026 Cannes Women in Film India returned to the Cannes Film Festival this year with its second Cannes cohort, one year after officially launching the organization at Cannes in 2025. Continuing its focus on creating global pathways for emerging women filmmakers from India, the organization brought a new delegation to the festival through its scholarship initiatives for Cannes Producers Network and Impact Lab.
Four women producers, Molshri, Jasmin Singh, Suruchi Sharma, and Archana Borhade attended Cannes as part of the Women in Film India delegation, participating in industry platforms, networking opportunities, and key conversations across the festival. The filmmakers were selected through two nationwide contests conducted by Women in Film India, with applications reviewed by an industry jury and approved by the Marche du Film selection process.
The Cannes delegation was supported by official partners Rareism and The House of Rare. Notably, this marked the first time Cannes Impact Lab featured two participants from India among a highly selective global cohort of only 8–10 attendees worldwide.
Beyond facilitating access to Cannes, the initiative focused on helping first-time attendees navigate the festival ecosystem through mentorship, guidance, and community support. Conversations throughout the delegation centered on representation, confidence-building, and expanding opportunities for women within the global film industry.
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Akshika Poddar, Co-Founder, The House of Rare & Rareism, added, “What I love about both fashion and film is that the final creation is only the visible tip of something much larger. Behind every beautiful garment and every memorable film are years of thought, experimentation, setbacks, and an enormous amount of unseen work. We enjoy the finished story, but rarely pause to consider how many hands and minds brought it to life. Women have always been a powerful part of that journey, yet they are still underrepresented where the biggest decisions are made. Our partnership with Women in Film India at Cannes reflects what we believe through Rare Tomorrow, in recognizing and celebrating women who are not just contributing to culture, but shaping where it goes next.”
Speaking about the initiative, Academy Award-winning producer and Founder, Women in Film India, Guneet Monga Kapoor said, “When I first came to Cannes fourteen years ago, nobody handed me a playbook. That is exactly what we are building now. Rareism made it possible to bring this entire cohort here, and that kind of support is what turns a good idea into something that actually reaches people.
Reflecting on the larger vision behind the delegation, Rabia Chopra, Head of Programs and Strategy at Women in Film India, said, “One year after launching Women in Film India at Cannes, we are back with our second cohort. That continuity matters. Access is the starting point, but what we are really building is the support and community that helps filmmakers actually use that access. We are grateful to Rareism for making that possible.”
