Director Kiran Rao has been named to the international jury of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival. Kiran, whose recent film Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies), was India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, will join a distinguished panel of global cinema voices led by Italian director and screenwriter Giuseppe Tornatore, best known for the Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso (1988).
The jury includes a diverse lineup of celebrated film professionals: Argentine filmmaker Iván Fund; Chinese actor and director Huang Bo; Greek producer Thanassis Karathanos; Chinese director and documentary filmmaker Yang Lina; and acclaimed Chinese actress Yong Mei.
Kiran expressed her gratitude and excitement about joining the jury, stating, “It’s an honour to be part of a festival that champions international cinema and storytelling. I look forward to experiencing the wide range of voices and perspectives on screen, and to engaging with my fellow jurors from around the world.”
The 27th edition of SIFF will take place from June 13 to June 22, 2025, in Shanghai, China.