Indian cinema is set to mark another proud moment on the global stage as Gudgudi, the directorial debut of Manisha K Makwana, has been selected for screening at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, 2026. Headlined by Ahsaas Channa, the short film will have its market premiere under the prestigious Marché du Film segment, which is scheduled to run from May 12 to May 23, 2026.
The selection marks a major milestone for first-time director Manisha Makwana, who has spent close to a decade working behind the scenes on acclaimed projects such as The Family Man, Farzi, Guns & Gulaabs, and Citadel: Honey Bunny with D2R Films. Known for her inclination toward character-driven narratives and emotionally grounded storytelling, Manisha’s creative approach has been shaped through her mentorship under Raj & DK and writer Suman Kumar.
Speaking about the film’s journey and Cannes recognition, Manisha said, “Gudgudi comes from a very personal place, so watching it grow into what it is today and be showcased on an international platform like Cannes is incredibly surreal. It stands as a testament to faith, self-belief, and the power of telling an honest story."
The project is co-produced by renowned casting director and producer Mukesh Chhabra, who praised the film and its emotional core. Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, he said, “An endearing thing about Gudgudi is it’s a very heart touching story. The moment Purvi and I read it, we fell in love with it and we knew. And the idea behind bringing Ahsaas onto the film was that we were very excited to give Manisha’s vision an honest life and see the wonderful chemistry between this incredible director and actor pair. The film has turned out remarkable. I am thrilled to be on this journey and proud of how the film is touching so many people and taking its own course. It certainly is, a very exceptional film.”
Lead actress Ahsaas Channa also opened up about the significance of having her first film screen at Cannes. She said, “It feels surreal… I started as a child actor with just a dream, and today that dream is taking me to an international stage like Cannes. Gudgudi being my first film there makes it even more emotional. This moment means everything to me it’s not just a milestone, it’s a dream I’ve carried for years finally coming true.”
Produced by Harshvardhan Patel under White Peacock Films and distributed by Crewbella, Gudgudi has already generated strong industry interest. With its Cannes showcase now confirmed, the short film is expected to further strengthen its buzz and represent Indian storytelling on an international platform.
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