For the first time, India will host a ‘Bharat Parv’ at the Cannes Film Festival to engage with film celebrities, filmmakers, directors, producers, buyers, and sales agents worldwide and showcase the creative opportunities and a rich bank of creative talent. The official poster and trailer of the 55th India International Film Festival (IFFI), to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, will also be unveiled.  The Bharat Pavilion, which serves as a platform for the Indian film community to engage in various activities, will be inaugurated on May 15 in the presence of eminent celebrities. A 'Bharat Stall' will be put in the Marche du Cannes through the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

India at Cannes 

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At the internationally recognised festival, several Indian movies and productions will be showcased. The highlight will be filmmaker Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light", which has been selected in the Competition section, where it will vie for the top prize Palme d'Or. British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri's "Santosh" will be showcased at the 77th edition under the Un Certain Regard section. "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know", a short film by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students, has been shortlisted in the La Cinef Competitive section. Karan Kandhari's "Sister Midnight" will be screened in Directors' Fortnight and Maisam Ali's compelling "In Retreat" in L'Acid. A restored version of veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal's 1976 film "Manthan" will be screened under Cannes Classics, a section created 20 years ago that features celebrations, restored prints, and documentaries. National Award-winning cinematographer Santosh Sivan will be the recipient of the prestigious Pierre Angenieux tribute at the festival, where he will also deliver a masterclass, becoming the first Indian to be recognised with the honour.

Meryl Streep to be honoured

Meryl Streep will be honored with a special Palme d'Or on May 14. The Hollywood icon, who won the best actress prize at Cannes in 1989, will join the kickoff of the 77th edition at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.  "I am immeasurably honored to receive the news of this prestigious award. To win a prize at Cannes, for the international community of artists, has always represented the highest achievement in the art of filmmaking. To stand in the shadow of those who have previously been honored is humbling and thrilling in equal part. I so look forward to coming to France to thank everyone in person this May!" Streep said in a statement.

Bollywood divas on the red carpet

'Heeramandi' actor Aditi Rao Hydari and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are all set to mark her presence on the red carpet. They will join the film festival as ambassadors of L'Oreal Paris. Sobhita Dhulipala will be seen representing the premium ice cream brand Magnum India. Sobhita said: "Taking my journey with Magnum a notch higher with the Cannes Film Festival is both exciting and symbolic of my relationship with the brand, where we progress alongside creating colourful memories.” “This experience allows me to create these moments of pleasure, as this association is a perfect blend of fashion, film, and flavour.”

Indian Influencers at Cannes 

A series of Indian influencers will be seen sashaying in style on the red carpet. These include RJ Karishma, Ankush Bahuguna, Sanjyot Keer, Niharika NM, and Aastha Shah. 

(With inputs from Agencies)