Young Kannada filmmaker Karen Kshiti Suvarna invited as speaker at Cannes 2026
Bengaluru: In a proud moment for the Kannada film industry, 22-year-old filmmaker Karen Kshiti Suvarna has been invited as a keynote speaker at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival under the World Woman Cannes Agenda 2026. This marks the first time a Kannada woman director has received such an honour on the global stage.
Karen will share the stage with prominent global personalities including Moira Forbes, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Tamera Mowry, and Stacy Smith. The summit, scheduled for May 12 and 13, is expected to draw global attention and will be broadcast to over a million viewers worldwide.
At the event, Karen is set to speak on the intersection of cinema, artificial intelligence, and social impact—topics that are increasingly shaping the future of storytelling and filmmaking.
Adding to her achievements, Karen’s debut Hindi-Kannada film September 21 will have its world premiere on May 16 at the Palais Theatre in Cannes, as part of the Marche du Film segment. The film explores the emotional and often unseen struggles of caregivers dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.
The film features notable actors including Priyanka Upendra, Praveen Singh Sisodia, Zarina Wahab, Ajit Shidhaye and Amit Behl.
“September 21” has already received recognition, having been showcased earlier in the ‘Work-in-Progress’ section at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The film is also backed by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India, lending further credibility to its sensitive subject.
The movie is slated for theatrical release across India on May 22, 2026.
Expressing her excitement, Karen said the opportunity to represent Karnataka at Cannes is unforgettable. “This film gives voice to the silent struggles of caregivers. It proves that regional stories can resonate universally,” she said, hoping her journey inspires young filmmakers from Karnataka.
Karen’s achievement is being seen as a milestone moment for regional cinema, highlighting how emerging voices from local industries are making a mark on the global stage.
