Our Bureau
Cannes
Independent filmmakers Hemant M. Pandya and Nita Pednekar proudly represented Indian-American independent cinema at the prestigious 79th Cannes Film Festival 2026, where both attended as officially accredited and invited film industry delegates.
Representing the New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival (NJIIFF) & Friday Films LLC, the duo participated in world premieres, gala screenings, industry networking events, and international collaboration meetings during one of the world’s most celebrated cinematic gatherings.
For Hemant M. Pandya, founder of New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival (NJIIFF) and Friday Films, and filmmaker Nita Pednekar, Cannes was far more than a red carpet experience. “For true filmmakers, Cannes is ultimately about cinema, storytelling, and global artistic exchange,” said Pandya. “The red carpet is an added privilege, but the real inspiration comes from witnessing extraordinary films and connecting with filmmakers from across the world.”
The filmmakers praised the exceptional organization, hospitality, and management of the festival, which hosted more than 25,000 attendees from around the globe while maintaining remarkable efficiency and elegance throughout the city of Cannes.
This year’s Cannes lineup showcased a diverse range of films, cultures, and storytelling voices. Both filmmakers were particularly inspired by the strong presence of independent cinema and socially driven narratives. Nepal’s internationally acclaimed film Elephants in the Fog and India’s Shadows of the Moonless Nights (Parchave Masseah Rataan De) stood out as examples of how honest storytelling continues to resonate globally beyond budgets or commercial scale.
Pandya and Pednekar also actively participated in events at the Bharat Pavilion, which served as a vibrant platform for Indian filmmakers, producers, actors, film festivals, and international collaborators. The Pavilion hosted networking sessions, co-production discussions, and conversations about the future of Indian cinema on the world stage.
At Cannes, the filmmakers also introduced their upcoming international projects:
• Love, Loathe & Life — a deeply emotional film inspired by a real-life hate crime, exploring identity, humanity, and healing.
• She Was…//? — a psychological thriller exploring guilt, trauma, and the devastating emotional consequences of road rage.
“Cannes reminded us that there is tremendous hope for independent filmmakers who truly believe in meaningful storytelling,” said Nita Pednekar. “Honest cinema will always find its audience somewhere in the world.”
Hemant M. Pandya and Nita Pednekar continue to develop globally relevant independent film projects through Friday Films LLC while promoting meaningful cinema and cultural exchange through the New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival.
