Sudipto Sen on Cannes: We need a commitment to cinema itself, not just the glamour around it

The Cannes Film Festival is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for cinema, celebrating storytelling, artistic excellence and filmmaking craft. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen, however, believes conversations around India’s presence at the festival have increasingly shifted away from films and towards fashion, celebrity appearances and red-carpet visibility.

Sharing his views on the subject, Sen expressed concern about what he sees as a growing disconnect between the celebration of cinema and the focus on glamour in discussions surrounding international film festivals.

Reflecting on the changing perception of Cannes, Sen says, “Cannes is one of the world's greatest celebrations of cinema, but for many Indians attending today, it has become more about visibility than filmmaking. We seem more interested in red carpets, fashion statements, selfies and parties than in discussing screenwriting, direction, editing or cinematic innovation.”

He believes the issue is not a lack of creative talent but the absence of a stronger support system for filmmakers and meaningful cinema. He says, “India produces more films than almost any country in the world and possesses extraordinary storytelling traditions, yet our presence at major international festivals remains limited. The problem is not a lack of talent. The problem is the absence of a serious ecosystem that nurtures and promotes meaningful cinema.”

Sen also questions whether resources allocated towards festival participation and industry representation are translating into greater opportunities for Indian cinema on the global stage. He says, “For years, huge sums have been spent on festival delegations, foreign trips and industry showcases, but the results are difficult to see. Our films rarely travel globally at the scale they should, and many deserving filmmakers never get the support they need.”

According to the filmmaker, the larger concern lies in ensuring that conversations around cinema remain focused on creativity and craft. He says, “What concerns me most is the growing disconnect between the celebration of cinema and the practice of cinema. We speak endlessly about content and creativity, yet continue to reward mediocrity, star worship and formula-driven filmmaking.”

Emphasising the potential of Indian cinema, Sen concludes, “India has all the ingredients to become a global cinematic powerhouse. What we need is honesty, vision and a commitment to cinema itself, not just the glamour surrounding it.”