It was a profound moment for this year’s Cannes Film Festival in France, one of the most prestigious and influential film festivals in the world. Amma’s initiatives for gender equality were celebrated amidst the red carpets of an event dedicated to cinematic storytelling, high art, and social change.
It’s another signal that Amma’s compassion is being widely recognised as a cultural force—something as powerful as any artistic or political movement.
The stage was set by the Better World Fund, an organisation that aims to engage the international community to build a more just and equitable world. As part of Cannes, it honoured the work done by Amma for women’s rights and gender equality through Amrita University and AMMACHI Labs.
A masterclass was held by UNESCO Artist for Peace Guilla Clara Kessous. The conversations deconstructed preconceived ideas and imagined innovative solutions for building lasting harmony between all genders. Internationally renowned participants shared their expertise alongside practical solutions in the face of today’s urgent calls for equality.
As a guest of honor, Dr Bhavani Rao, Amrita’s UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, inaugurated the discussions. She shared Amma’s vision of a society where there are no barriers to the social, emotional and economic empowerment of women, which further leads to gender equality.
She dived deep into different aspects of women’s empowerment: understanding the core values behind gender equality, the global far-reaching societal benefit of women empowerment, and how grassroots actions for rural women benefit society at large.
“Female energy is inclusive and doesn’t exclude anyone. When you give to women, it automatically goes to the community, to the families, to everyone,” said Dr Bhavani Rao.
“What is unique is that at Amrita, we always have a systems approach—no work we do is siloed, it impacts multiple dimensions. Because poverty is multidimensional, we have multidimensional solutions.”
The discussions also tackled equality actions for women in diplomacy, women entrepreneurs, masculine positivity, the importance of media and arts in speaking out for gender equality, women’s role in sustainable development, and more.
The day concluded with a gala event to celebrate achievements for individuals who have made valuable contributions to social or humanitarian causes. Swamini Amritajyoti Prana, one of Amma’s senior disciples in Europe, addressed the gathering, sharing Amma’s message of universal love and peace.
Swamini eloquently described how Amma’s entire life is like a film of compassion in action, every day without end.
“In a world where image is king, allow me to speak to you today about a face—a face radiant with love, peace, and compassion: Amma… Where there is suffering, Amma steps in—with strength, gentleness, and insight,” she said.
“In a festival celebrating beauty, creation, and transmission… Amma reminds us that human beings are also works of art—but living ones. And that perhaps the true masterpiece is learning to love, unconditionally, without fear, without return.”
The evening honoured Mira Nair, the world-renowned Indian-American filmmaker and human rights activist. Her narrative feature debut, Salaam Bombay!, won the Caméra d’Or and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1988. She then established the Salaam Baalak Trust to provide support services for street and working children, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region.
Recognised as well were Marc Peine and Christian Vossele for their lifelong commitment to Kinderlachen—one of the largest German organisations that champions the rights of children and teenagers; and Keni Silva, the celebrated model, divorce coach, and media personality, for her support of the Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF).
Dr Bhavani Rao then presented Nandita Das an award for her commitment to humanitarian actions. The celebrated Indian actress and director has performed in over 40 feature films in ten different languages and made three films.
