Cannes: Indian filmmaker Chandrakant Singh added another milestone to his Cannes journey as he launched the trailer and poster of Hunger Game at the prestigious Bharat Pavilion during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

The launch, supported by the National Film Development Corporation of India, witnessed the presence of international delegates, film enthusiasts and industry professionals, celebrating India’s growing footprint on the global cinema stage.

Known for consistently representing independent Indian cinema internationally, Chandrakant Singh marked his 10th visit to Cannes this year and his fifth participation with Indian short films at the festival.

Hunger Game focuses on the dark and disturbing reality of the beggar mafia system in India, shedding light on the organised exploitation operating behind begging rackets, especially around urban traffic signals. Through the short film, the filmmaker attempts to spark conversation around a deeply rooted social issue that often goes unnoticed.

Speaking at the launch event, Chandrakant Singh said:

“It is always an emotional and proud moment to represent India at Cannes. This is my tenth time attending the festival and my fifth time presenting Indian short films here. I thank NFDC and Bharat Pavilion for continuously supporting filmmakers like us and giving meaningful cinema a global platform.”

The filmmaker received appreciation from attendees at the Bharat Pavilion, with many praising the film’s socially relevant subject and impactful narrative approach.

Over the years, Chandrakant Singh has emerged as one of the few Indian independent filmmakers to maintain a consistent presence at Cannes, using cinema as a medium to highlight socially significant themes. With Hunger Game, he once again brings attention to a hard-hitting issue while strengthening India’s representation at one of the world’s most celebrated film festivals.

Adding to his vision for the future, Chandrakant Singh shared:

“For the last five to six years, I have been bringing my short films to Cannes and representing Indian independent cinema on this prestigious global platform. Now, my focus is on developing a full-length feature film, and I am hopeful of bringing my feature project to Cannes next year. My dream is to have it selected in competition and proudly walk the red carpet with my own film at the Cannes Film Festival.”

 

Indian Filmmaker Chandrakant Singh Unveils ‘Hunger Game’ At Cannes 2026 Bharat Pavilion