Directed by Karen Kshiti Suvarna, the Hindi-Kannada film on Alzheimer’s and caregiving will premiere at Cannes 2026 under the Marché du Film segment, spotlighting urgent social narratives from India.
The makers of _SEPTEMBER 21_, starring Pravin Singh Sisodia, Priyanka Upendra, Zarina Wahab, Ajith Shidhaye, and Amit Behl, have announced a major milestone for the film as it has been officially selected for screening under the Marché du Film segment at the 79th Cannes Film Festival 2026, scheduled from May 12 to May 23, 2026. The selection marks a significant global moment for the project, placing it on one of the world’s most prestigious film platforms.
Karen Kshiti Suvarna’s SEPTEMBER 21 to Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2026 The film _SEPTEMBER 21_, produced by Visica Films, FMD Productions, and HumaraMovie with Filmsmax, is set for its world premiere at 5:45 PM on May 16, 2026 at the Palais Theatre, Cannes Sharing the news, the team expressed their excitement, adding that the official teaser had already been unveiled.
The makers announced, “Presenting SEPTEMBER 21 Our debut film that dares to look beyond the patient to the caregiver’s invisible grief. To take this story to Cannes with a 22-year-old director at the helm… we’re overwhelmed and grateful to share this moment with all of you. This is a dream come true with our dream team.
They further added, “Thank you for the unconditional belief in a story about silence, Alzheimer’s, and love that stays even when memory fades. It means everything.”
Directed by 22-year-old writer-director Karen Kshiti Suvarna, the film’s inclusion at the Marché du Film segment is being seen as a proud moment not only for the cast and crew but also for Indian cinema’s expanding footprint in global social storytelling. Written by Rajshekhar with music by Vinayy Chandraa, the Hindi-Kannada film centers on a father with dementia who believes his wife is staying next door, and his estranged son forced to choose between ambition and duty.
The project is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI). HumaraMovie, partnered by Preety Ali, wife of Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali, and Vinay Mishra, has previously backed festival titles Follower and Tortoise Under the Earth. Visica Films is known for emotionally driven independent narratives.
SEPTEMBER 21 marks one of the youngest Indian directorial debuts at Cannes. “The struggles faced by caregivers are much greater than the struggles faced by Alzheimer’s patients,” says Karen Suvarna. “I wanted the audience to feel that silence and emotional weight.”
Produced by Visica Films, FMD Productions, and HumaraMovie with Filmsmax, SEPTEMBER 21 is set to have its world premiere at Cannes under the Marché du Film segment. The film’s journey from an urgent social subject to an international showcase highlights how contemporary Indian cinema continues to break geographical boundaries and bring deeply personal stories to global conversations.
about 79th Cannes Film Festival 2026
The 79th Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 12 to May 23, 2026 in Cannes, France, is set to be a major global cinema showcase, bringing together leading filmmakers, emerging talent, and major industry players. The festival will feature 21 films competing for the Palme d’Or, alongside sections like Un Certain Regard and out-of-competition screenings that highlight diverse voices in world cinema.
Running alongside it, the Marché du Film (May 12–20) will act as the world’s largest film market, hosting thousands of industry professionals and film titles, and serving as a key platform for global deals, distribution, and collaborations.
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