Filmmaker Payal Kapadia stresses that public institutions become useless if they turn into elitist spaces and suggests taxing big-budget movies to fund independent filmmaking. Kapadia, the first Indian to win the Grand Prix award for All We Imagine as Light, shared her views on Facebook.
An FTII alumna, Kapadia emphasized the need for public institutions to remain accessible. She highlighted that these spaces are becoming more expensive, losing their relevance. She advocated for improving primary education and shared how prestigious institutions benefited her family.
Kapadia credited FTII for shaping her filmmaking and worldview, emphasizing the importance of debates and independent thinking. She noted that affordable public education has been crucial for many in the film industry.
At Cannes, Kapadia’s film was the first by an Indian female director in the main competition in 30 years. She questioned the lack of support for independent filmmakers and praised the French funding model, which taxes movie tickets and TV channels to support independent films. She suggested a similar system in India, taxing blockbuster profits to fund independent cinema. Kapadia commended Kerala’s government for supporting female and underrepresented filmmakers and called for an autonomous body to support unknown filmmakers. With elections nearing, she hopes the new government will ensure equal access to resources, including cultural capital and education, urging citizens to hold the government accountable
