Renowned producer and Oscar-winner Guneet Monga Kapoor has once again taken a monumental step for Indian cinema and gender inclusivity on the global stage. Her initiative, Women in Film India (WIFI), has officially made its debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant milestone for the representation of Indian women in the global entertainment industry. The debut comes with the announcement of a pioneering global fellowship program aimed at uplifting and supporting women producers in the film and content creation space.
Guneet, who is best known for producing critically acclaimed films such as The Lunchbox and Period. End of Sentence (which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short), has been a vocal advocate for increasing opportunities for women in all facets of filmmaking. With WIFI, she aims to provide a structured platform to connect, mentor, and fund aspiring and emerging women producers from India, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed globally.
The Cannes Film Festival, which has often served as a launching pad for global cinematic movements and progressive initiatives, proved to be the ideal backdrop for WIFI’s launch on the international stage. Guneet’s announcement received widespread appreciation from the global film community, drawing attention to the urgent need for gender parity in production roles, which often remain male-dominated.
A Global Fellowship for Women Producers
At the heart of WIFI’s Cannes debut was the launch of its Global Producers Fellowship, a visionary program that will offer selected Indian women producers international exposure, mentorship from industry veterans, financial backing, and access to co-production markets. The fellowship will also include learning modules in collaboration with top film institutions and festivals around the world, including sessions in Los Angeles, Berlin, and Mumbai.
The goal, according to Guneet, is to bridge the gap between local storytelling and global opportunities. “There is immense storytelling potential among Indian women, but access remains a major barrier,” she said during the launch event. “With WIFI and this fellowship, we are not just opening doors — we are walking through them with the next generation of women who will lead the Indian and global content industries.”
Guneet emphasized that the initiative was built on the belief that diversity behind the camera is just as important as representation on-screen. “When women produce, we see new narratives, different perspectives, and transformative stories,” she added.
Industry Applause and Global Solidarity
The initiative received enthusiastic support from both Indian and international film professionals. Several acclaimed filmmakers, producers, and festival directors attended the announcement at Cannes, hailing WIFI as a much-needed move to ensure that female voices have the financial and professional backing to thrive.
Indian industry figures such as Zoya Akhtar, Ektaa Kapoor, and Meghna Gulzar praised Guneet for consistently being at the forefront of change in the industry. International names from Hollywood and Europe also lauded the structured, goal-oriented nature of the fellowship, calling it a “blueprint for future global collaboration.”
Looking Ahead: Creating Sustainable Change
With WIFI’s growing influence and international recognition, Guneet Monga Kapoor envisions this as just the beginning of a long-term commitment to gender equity in film. The initiative plans to expand into other verticals as well, including screenplay development labs, market access support, and a networking database exclusively for women in film.
The Cannes debut of Women in Film India is more than just a symbolic victory; it marks the emergence of a concrete, actionable framework that promises real support to women in film. For an industry that thrives on stories, empowering more women to tell theirs is not just fair—it’s essential.
As Guneet continues to break barriers and open doors for others, her legacy is fast becoming one of not only personal success but of systemic change—ushering in a more inclusive, diverse, and globally connected Indian film industry.
