Guneet Monga's 'Women in Film India' Debuts Globally at Cannes with New Producers Fellowship

By: WE staff | Thursday, 15 May 2025

• Academy Award winner Guneet Monga launches her initiative Women in Film India on an international platform
• The initiative debuts globally at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
• A fellowship program for producers is rolled out as part of the launch

 Academy Award-winning director Guneet Monga Kapoor's company, Women in Film India (WIF India), has debuted on the global platform at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 with the introduction of a game-changing fellowship scheme for women producers.

The company began by hailing three Indian women producers, was dedicated to tackling gender equality and creating real avenues of leadership and mentorship within the Indian entertainment industry. Through the sponsorship of Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF LA), WIF India is added to an international network of over 50 chapters on six continents that work towards empowering women in film and media.

The recently launched Women in Film India Fellowship: Cannes Producers Edition gives mid-career producer’s access to the Producers Network at the Marché du Film, a leading global platform for film industry networking.

This year's first-time awardees include Tillotama Shome, who has recently turned producer with her Bengali feature Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox); Rucha Pathak, an experienced creative producer of hit films such as Neerja, Paan Singh Tomar, and Barfi; and Dimpy Agarwal, who is acclaimed for socially conscious storytelling and has produced such films as Chashma and Monica O My Darling. Also, Shefali Bhushan, a producer of a Marathi films whose film Sthal will be showcased at the Cannes Film Market, received an Accreditation Grant.

Guneet underlined that the inauguration of WIF India is not only a milestone but also a long-term endeavor to establish a more inclusive industry. Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of Women in Film LA, reinforced this, terming the fellowship an important piece of providing women with equal opportunities to govern and produce in film and television.

 WIF India is led by a repute board of directors consisting of influential personalities such as Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Gauri Shinde, Anupama Chopra, and more, who contribute collectively to create a more level playing field for Indian cinema.