Mon Sep 23 18:02:41 UTC 2024: ## India Snubs Cannes Winner, “All We Imagine as Light”, for Oscars Submission
**Mumbai, India** – The Film Federation of India (FFI) has sparked controversy by selecting the box office hit “Laapataa Ladies” as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar, overlooking Payal Kapadia’s critically acclaimed “All We Imagine as Light”.
“All We Imagine as Light,” which premiered at Cannes and won the Grand Prix, is the first Indian film to achieve this feat in 30 years. It was also included on France’s shortlist for the Oscars. Despite this, the FFI chose to submit “Laapataa Ladies,” a film backed by powerful Indian distributor Jio Studios and Aamir Khan, who previously produced the Oscar-nominated “Lagaan”.
This decision has been met with disappointment and frustration from critics and industry insiders. “All We Imagine as Light” has received widespread praise and currently holds a 93% score on Metacritic. Critics believe the film, with its powerful narrative and stunning visuals, would have been a strong contender for the Oscar.
While “All We Imagine as Light” may not be in the running for Best International Feature Film, it could still be submitted in other categories, such as Best Original Screenplay or Best Director. However, with a crowded field of talented filmmakers, including Denis Villeneuve and Jacques Audiard, it will be an uphill battle for Kapadia to earn a nomination.
The FFI’s decision to snub “All We Imagine as Light” highlights a recurring pattern of questionable choices when it comes to India’s Oscar submissions. The country has not received an Oscar nomination since “Lagaan” in 2002, despite producing several lauded films in recent years. This latest decision raises questions about the FFI’s selection process and its commitment to recognizing cinematic excellence.
First Piper 