Filmmaker Payal Kapadia receives the 2025 Coolidge Breakthrough Award

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Coolidge Corner Theatre presented director Payal Kapadia (All We Imagine as Light) with the third annual Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award.

The Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award was created to spotlight the next generation of filmmaking talent. As we look to our future we want to spotlight the bold and innovative film artists who represent the future of cinema.

Payal Kapadia joined the Coolidge in-person for a special preview screening of her newest film, All We Imagine as Light, preceded by an introduction and followed by a Q&A with Boston Asian American Film Festival Director Susan Chinsen.

about payal kapadia

Payal Kapadia is a Mumbai-based filmmaker. She studied Film Direction at the Film & Television Institute of India. Her short films Afternoon Clouds and And What Is The Summer Saying premiered respectively at the Cinéfondation and the Berlinale. Her first feature film, A Night of Knowing Nothing, premiered at 2021 Director’s Fortnight, where it won the Golden Eye for best documentary. Her second feature, All We Imagine as Light, premiered in Cannes 2024 in Official Competition, where it won the Grand Prix.

watch the full ceremony

 

This Week

  • A portion of ticket proceeds from every show goes directly to local cats in need.

    Showtimes
  • A coming-of-age story about the joys, pressures, and tensions woven into one of America’s most cherished rituals: Girl Scout Cookie season.

    Showtimes
  • A film by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, based on Honobu Yonezawa's novel.

    Showtimes
  • The new film from filmmaker Christopher Nolan, starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway.

    Showtimes
  • The new documentary from Penny Lane (Hail Satan?).

    Showtimes
  • From director Olivia Wilde and starring Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton.

    Showtimes
  • From master filmmaker Koreeda Hirokazu, director of Shoplifters and Broker

    Showtimes
  • A complex look at one of the greatest figures in 20th century classical music whose passion & creativity guided him well beyond the concert hall.

    Showtimes
  • The latest from New Queer Cinema pioneer Gregg Araki, starring Cooper Hoffman, Olivia Wilde, & Charli XCX.

    Showtimes
  • Stanley Kubrick’s account of an ambitious racetrack robbery is one of Hollywood’s tautest, twistiest noirs. 

    Showtimes
  • Before this train reaches the next station it will become the scene of the most spectacular hijack ever attempted.

    Showtimes
  • Enter King Hu’s Dragon Inn (1967) and step into the subversive, swords-clashing world of wuxia films 

    Showtimes
  • The art of martial-arts filmmaking took a leap into bold new territory with this action-packed tale of Ming-dynasty intrigue.

    Showtimes
  • He robs from the rich to give to the girls!

    Showtimes
  • From director Matt Johnson (Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie), starring Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers). 

    Showtimes
  • A secret VHS screening of a summer camp classic whose title won't be revealed until it hits the screen! 

    Showtimes
  • A nice place for summer vacation — a perfect place to die!

    Showtimes