India at Cannes 2026: Six Indian films set to make their global premiere

The 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is shining a spotlight on Indian cinema once again, with a diverse line up of films premiering and screening at the prestigious festival. From Punjabi dramas to Malayalam classics and bold documentaries, these films are taking Indian storytelling to a global audience. (wikipedia)

Shadows of the Moonless Night: FTII student Mehar Malhotra’s 24-minute Punjabi short has been selected for La Cinef, the Cannes section dedicated to emerging filmmakers. It follows a factory worker slowly unravelling under pressure and isolation. (Official website of cannes international film festival)

Balan: The Boy: Fresh off the success of Manjummel Boys, filmmaker Chidambaram brings this Malayalam-language film to the Marché du Film section. The story explores loneliness, survival, and the emotional bond between a mother and son. (instagram: jean.lal)

Chardikala: Directed by Amarjit Singh Saron, this Punjabi film starring Ammy Virk and Roopi Gill follows a devoted nurse falsely implicated in a major incident. The film is set to premiere at Cannes before its theatrical release. (instagram: omjeegroupofficial)

Amma Ariyan: Avant-garde filmmaker John Abraham’s cult Malayalam classic has been restored in 4K and selected for Cannes Classics. The film remains one of the defining works of India’s parallel cinema movement. (facebook: Kerala tourism)

Spirit Of The Wildflower: Directed by London based filmmaker Shrimoyee Chakraborty, this documentary follows two sisters running India’s first legal mahua distillery while navigating identity, ambition, and societal expectations. (instagram: shrimoyeec)

September 21: Filmmaker Karen Kshiti Suvarna’s debut feature, shot in Hindi and Kannada, centres on an elderly Alzheimer’s patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. The emotionally layered story explores caregiving, memory, and family tensions. (youtube: humara movie)