EDISON, N.J. (Diya TV) — Independent filmmakers Hemant M. Pandya and Nita Pednekar brought global attention to independent storytelling during their participation at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month.

The filmmakers attended the prestigious international event as officially accredited delegates representing the New Jersey Indian & International Film Festival and Friday Films LLC. During the festival, they joined film premieres, gala screenings, networking sessions, and meetings focused on international film collaborations.

Held annually in Cannes, the Cannes Film Festival remains one of the world’s most influential cinema events. Organizers said more than 25,000 people attended the 2026 edition, which featured filmmakers, producers, distributors, and artists from across the globe.

Pandya and Pednekar said the festival placed strong attention on meaningful storytelling and creative exchange rather than celebrity culture. “For true filmmakers, Cannes is ultimately about cinema, storytelling, and global artistic exchange,” Pandya said. “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 organization of the festival and the citywide events that brought together members of the international film industry. They said the atmosphere encouraged collaboration among independent creators and emerging voices in global cinema.

This year’s festival lineup featured films from many countries and cultures. According to Pandya and Pednekar, independent productions and socially driven stories received strong visibility throughout the event. Among the projects that impressed them most were Nepal’s “Elephants in the Fog” and India’s “Shadows of the Moonless Nights (Parchave Masseah Rataan De).” They said both films showed how independent filmmakers can earn international recognition through strong storytelling instead of large commercial budgets.

During the festival, the filmmakers also attended events hosted at the Bharat Pavilion, a key gathering space for Indian cinema professionals at Cannes.

The pavilion welcomed filmmakers, actors, producers, festival organizers, and international collaborators from India and other countries. It hosted networking sessions, co-production discussions, and conversations about expanding the reach of Indian films in global markets. Pandya and Pednekar said the pavilion created opportunities for independent filmmakers to connect with international partners and discuss future projects.

The filmmakers added that India’s growing presence at Cannes reflects increasing global interest in diverse stories from South Asia and the Indian diaspora.

While attending the festival, Pandya and Pednekar also introduced two new international film projects currently in development through Friday Films LLC. The first project, “Love, Loathe & Life,” draws inspiration from a real-life hate crime. The film explores themes of identity, healing, and humanity. The filmmakers said the project aims to encourage conversations about social division and emotional recovery.

Their second project, “She Was…//?,” is a psychological thriller focused on guilt, trauma, and the emotional impact of road rage. The filmmakers described the film as an intense character-driven story that examines human behavior under stress. Both projects continue the filmmakers’ focus on socially relevant narratives and emotionally driven storytelling.

Pednekar said the Cannes experience reinforced her belief that independent filmmakers can still succeed by focusing on honest and meaningful stories.

“Cannes reminded us that there is tremendous hope for independent filmmakers who truly believe in meaningful storytelling,” Pednekar said.

“Honest cinema will always find its audience somewhere in the world,” she added.