Actress and film producer Tarina Patel once again attended the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in France, where she participated in red-carpet appearances and speaking engagements.
Patel made a bold appearance at the world premiere of “The Beloved” (El Ser Querido), dressed in an emerald-green, China-inspired couture gown by Singaporean designer Estar De Moda, with an elaborate headpiece by Noma and Le Marquise.
The Cannes Film Festival is the most prestigious cinematic event in the world and is attended by many stars. It is a popular venue for film producers to launch their new films and to attempt to sell their works to the distributors who come from all over the globe.
Speaking to IOL, Patel shared that she was on two panels at Cannes Film Festival this year: Women In Cinema – Ownership, Influence and Global Narratives, and the AfroCannes discussion titled The Filmmaker as Creator-Entrepreneur: Owning Audience, Expanding Value, Redefining the Business of Storytelling.
Women In Cinema – Ownership, Influence and Global Narratives explores how women are increasingly shaping the creative and strategic direction of global cinema, from authorship and representation to influence and ownership within the industry.
The panel featured a lineup including Andria Wilson Mirza, Faith Elizabeth, Sapna Moti Bhavnani and Guneet Monga Kapoor, with the session moderated by Mehak Kasbekar.
The AfroCannes discussion titled The Filmmaker as Creator-Entrepreneur: Owning Audience, Expanding Value, Redefining the Business of Storytelling. That conversation focuses on how filmmakers today are moving beyond the traditional system to build direct relationships with audiences, leveraging IP, platforms, and global communities to create sustainable, scalable storytelling businesses.
The multi-hyphenate has been able to have discussions with potential collaborators, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders regarding an undisclosed film project she has been working on.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of momentum around the project at Cannes. It’s an international co-production between South Africa, the UK, and India, and the conversations have been incredibly encouraging.”
Patel added that having a BAFTA-winning Indian partner attached to the production has also brought significant credibility and attention to the project.
“What’s been especially exciting is seeing how strongly the story resonates across different markets and territories. Cannes has definitely opened doors for movement, alignment, and future opportunities around the film.”
Africa continues to gain attention across the world and at international festivals like Cannes. As a filmmaker, this signal for a major shift in global storytelling reflects Patel on the industry’s growth.
“African stories are no longer being viewed as niche; they’re being recognized as culturally rich, commercially viable, and globally relevant.
“For me, it represents a powerful moment where African filmmakers are increasingly stepping into positions of ownership, influence, and international collaboration. There’s a growing appetite for authentic stories from the continent, told by people who truly understand the nuances of those experiences.”
Patel added that the shift goes beyond Africa being represented on the screen but becoming a serious player in financing, co-production, talent development, and global narrative shaping.
“The industry is evolving, and African creatives are becoming an important part of that global conversation.”
IOL
