All We Imagine as Light: A Front-runner for NETPAC’s Prestigious Aruna Vasudev Award

Payal Kapadia’s critically acclaimed film All We Imagine as Light has earned a prestigious nomination for the inaugural Aruna Vasudev Award at the 31st Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema (VIFICA). The film, a joint India-European production, is among five finalists chosen from over 600 films screened globally in 2024, highlighting the continued rise and diversification of Asian and Pacific cinema.

This recognition marks a significant milestone for the film, which has already garnered multiple accolades, including the Grand Prix at Cannes, and Best Foreign Language Film from the National Society of Film Critics. The film is set to compete with other exceptional works, including Mahdi Fleifel’s To A Land Unknown (Palestine-Denmark), Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April (Georgia-France-Italy), Lan Pham Ngoc’s Cu Li Never Cries (Vietnam-Philippines-France-Singapore-Norway), and My Favorite Cake by Iranian filmmakers Behtash Sanaie Ha and Maryam Moghadam.

The Aruna Vasudev Award is a new honor established by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema (NETPAC) to recognize outstanding works in the realm of Asian cinema. The award pays tribute to Aruna Vasudev, a trailblazer who founded NETPAC in 1989 and played a pivotal role in promoting Asian films worldwide. Vasudev, who passed away in 2024, was instrumental in creating Cinemaya, the first pan-Asian film quarterly, and contributed to raising the profile of Asian films in prominent festivals like Cannes and Locarno.

All We Imagine as Light has already made waves internationally, winning the RTVE-Another Look Award at San Sebastián, the Silver Hugo Jury Prize at the Chicago International Film Festival, and Best International Film from the New York Film Critics Circle. The film’s critical success also led to nominations, including for Best Film Not in the English Language at the 2025 BAFTA Awards.

The winner of the Aruna Vasudev Award will be announced on February 18 at the Vesoul International Film Festival, which is renowned for its focus on Asian cinema. This festival is part of a broader initiative to promote the rich cultural diversity of the Asian and Pacific regions and elevate its cinematic voices on the world stage.

The recognition of All We Imagine as Light underscores the growing global appreciation for films that not only reflect diverse cultural experiences but also push artistic boundaries. With its innovative storytelling and remarkable performances, Kapadia’s film is already considered a significant contender in the international film community.

As the Vesoul festival approaches, all eyes will be on the competition to see which film will take home the inaugural Aruna Vasudev Award, marking a momentous occasion in the celebration of Asian cinema. The festival’s focus on promoting films that engage with important social and cultural issues promises a thrilling lineup, with All We Imagine as Light standing out as a strong contender for this prestigious honor.