Young Kannada director Karen Kshiti Suvarna will be representing Karnataka at the prestigious ‘World Woman Cannes Agenda 2026’ event, to be held from May 12–15 in Cannes, France, as part of the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
With this, Karen has earned the historic distinction of being one of the first women directors to represent Karnataka on the Cannes Film Festival stage.
Organized by the World Woman Foundation, this global platform is centered on the theme ‘AI, Artistry & Activism’, and offers a golden opportunity to showcase Karnataka’s cinematic talent on the world stage.
Karen, who gained recognition in Sandalwood through the film ‘September 21’ starring Priyanka Upendra, will share her experiences on artificial intelligence and independent cinema from Karnataka at this platform.
“From the soil of Karnataka to the red carpet of Cannes — this is not just my journey. It is the journey of Kannada cinema and the dream of every young artist in our state. I am grateful to the World Woman Foundation for providing this platform on behalf of Kannada Nadu,” said Karen.
About Karnataka: The Kannada film industry has made immense contributions to world cinema, from Dr. Rajkumar and Girish Kasaravalli to today’s new-wave directors. Karen’s Cannes journey adds a new chapter to this rich legacy.
