‘Indian films should feature in the competition section’

Christian Jeune, director of Film Department at Cannes Film Festival, talks about its selection process

Christian Jeune

FOR Indian filmmakers, the Cannes Film Festival has remained one of the choicest platforms to showcase their newest work. Yet, year after year, they have failed to secure a place in the competition section. Christian Jeune, director of the Film Department of the festival, says: “Believe me, we are dying to get more Indian entries and to have them in the competition section. We have had some very good films at the festival, Masaan, Titli and Ugly. But they were not in the competition. Indian films should feature in the competition section of other festivals too.”

During his recent visit to India, Jeune explained the process of picking movies for the festival. “We try to make the best selection possible. Of course, there will be mistakes, as the selection is based on personal choices.” So, there are movies that the festival didn’t pick but they went on to become successful eventually? “Yeah. Probably,” says Jeune with a chortle.

However, in defense of the festival’s selection process, he says, “The audience at Cannes is very different from other film festivals. It consists of professionals, mainly mediapersons. While selecting movies, we have to keep that in mind. The flip side of this is that the mediapersons expect every movie to be a masterpiece. Sometimes, we don’t select certain films assuming that they would be at risk in Cannes, where they will be open to severe criticism. However, it is okay to take a risk.” Jeune, who is the main contact for sending entries for the festival, believes that films are more “kindly judged” at other festivals, compared to Cannes.

However, Cannes gives the global visibility that most filmmakers aspire for. Last year’s winner, The Square, is currently in the Oscar race for the Best Foreign Film Award. While Jeune concedes that winning

Palme d’Or gives a film “a lot of exposure”, there have been occasions when the winners of the top award at Cannes have not had a great run at the box-office.

When asked about the statement made by actor Jessica Chastain — who served on the festival jury last year — about the representation of women in films, Jeune said: “We are not making the films. We are selecting them.” While presenting the jury report, Chastain had stated, “One thing I really took away from this experience is how the world views women from the female characters that I saw represented. And it was quite disturbing to me, to be honest. I do believe that if you have female storytelling, you also have more authentic female characters.” Referring to Chastain’s statement, Jeune added, “This is something to do with our society. This discussion should take place at various sections of our society.”

Alaka Sahani

Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism. Expertise & Accolades In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023. Global Industry Leadership Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies: Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema. Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends. Focus & Vision Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More

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