Exclusive | Guneet Monga Kapoor On Less Indian Films at Cannes 2026: 'There Is A low Tide of Independent Films'

After Payal Kapadia’s significant breakthroughs at Cannes in the last two years, perspectives on Indian representation at the festival witnessed a transition. This year, however, apart from a handful of titles including John Abraham’s restored film, Amma Ariyan and the FTII student film Shadows of the Moonless Nights (Parchave Masseah Rataan De), directed by Mehar Malhotra, India’s absence can be felt. 

Speaking to Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter India at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, producer Guneet Monga Kapoor reflected on what she believes could be a larger issue within the industry. “Maybe there is also a low tide of independent films happening,” she said, adding that fewer films are being mounted overall.

Kapoor threw light on the process and nature of financing a film in India, which could be the root cause for this slowdown. “We come from a 100% equity industry in India,” she noted, explaining how most films are backed either by studios or private investors expecting returns at the bare minimum. “The nature of money is nervous,” she said, adding that equity-driven financing often prioritises safer bets and immediate recovery over creativity and innovation.

According to Guneet, the lack of alternative financing structures directly impacts the nature of stories on screen. “There is no innovation,” she said, explaining how independent cinema often takes a backseat when distribution is centered around mainstream films.

Kapoor also reflected on how difficult it has become for independent filmmakers to sustain themselves within the current system. “It’s very, very, very hard. You have to really like the business to be on it all the time,” she noted.

Despite the challenges, Guneet believes in hustling and thriving, thus advising filmmakers to actively explore collaborations and alternative funding routes. From co-productions and crowdfunding to initiatives like Cannes’ Producers Breakfast, she stressed on the importance of learning global financing structures and reducing dependence on equity models in order to clear the stage for ground-breaking storytelling.