ANKITA S PANDEY – SHE SPOTLIGHT
- Johanna K. Lumi
- May 7
- 4 min read
Producer / Founder, Gaia Film Production
Based in London, UK
In this She Spotlight, Johanna sits down with Ankita S Pandey - a London-based producer and founder of Gaia Film Production, whose work centres on socially driven, character-led storytelling that challenges perspectives while remaining deeply human.
With a background in architecture and a growing slate of female-led, globally resonant projects, she is currently bringing her debut feature DAAL to the international stage - a psychological thriller exploring themes of female empowerment and social justice. (IG: @daal.film)
You’ve described your journey into the industry as one shaped by both discipline and defiance, coming from a background where storytelling wasn’t seen as a career. Looking back, what first drew you into this world, and what kind of change are you hoping to make through your work now?
I come from a middle-class background in India, where storytelling was never seen as a career, but it was always my way of understanding the world. My journey into film has been shaped by both discipline and defiance - training as an architect while quietly building my path as a producer.
I’ve always been drawn to stories that explore power, trauma, and the lived realities of women, particularly those who are often unheard or misunderstood. My work sits at the intersection of social truth and cinematic intensity, aiming to challenge perspectives while remaining deeply human.
Through Gaia Film Production, I’m building a body of work that centres strong, complex female protagonists and globally resonant narratives. For me, filmmaking is not just about storytelling - it’s about creating space for voices that are rarely given power, and ensuring they are seen and felt on a global stage.
You’re currently leading your debut feature DAAL while developing a wider slate of projects. What are you building or stepping into right now, and why does it matter at this stage of your career?
I am currently leading my debut feature film DAAL, a psychological thriller centred on a woman shaped by trauma who reclaims power in unconventional ways. The film is in its final stages and positioned for international sales and distribution.
Alongside this, I’m building a slate of projects that continue to explore complex human psychology and female-led narratives, including Room Without Doors and Harry.
This stage feels important because I want to create stories that are not only engaging, but necessary - stories that reflect the emotional and social realities many women experience but are rarely portrayed with depth. My goal is to build a production company that consistently delivers bold, globally relevant cinema with both artistic and commercial value.
From the outside, your journey can appear very focused and intentional. What’s something people wouldn’t necessarily see about your path?
What people often don’t see is the distance between where I started and where I am now. Coming from a conservative background, being the first woman in my family to make independent choices meant navigating resistance, uncertainty, and expectations that didn’t align with my ambitions.
I built my path without industry connections, balancing a full-time career in architecture while developing my work in film, often without a clear roadmap. There were moments of doubt, but also a constant inner conviction that I was building something bigger than myself.
That journey has shaped how I approach storytelling - with honesty, resilience, and a deep understanding of what it means to fight for your voice. It’s that lived experience that drives the stories I choose to tell.
As you come into Cannes this year, building on your earlier experience of the festival and now with DAAL in its final stages, what does it represent to you right now, and what are you hoping to make happen while you’re there?
Cannes represents a defining moment of transition - from building to being seen on a global stage. It’s where conversations turn into real opportunities and long-term partnerships.
At this stage in my journey, I’m coming with clarity and intent: to position DAAL with the right international partners and to align with people who believe in bold, female-led storytelling.
More than anything, I see Cannes as a space to step into visibility - not just for one film, but for the kind of work and voice I’m building through Gaia Film Production.
You’ve spoken about building collective power through collaboration and shared vision. What does that mean to you in practice, and who are you hoping to connect or collaborate with next?
To me, building collective power means creating an ecosystem where women are not just present, but actively shaping narratives, decisions, and opportunities.
In practice, that looks like collaborating with people who are aligned in vision and intent - producers, sales agents, creatives, and partners who value strong storytelling and long-term growth.
I’m particularly interested in connecting with collaborators who are committed to bringing female-led, globally relevant stories to wider audiences, and who are open to building meaningful, sustained partnerships rather than one-off projects.
I’m at a point where my focus is on building something long-term and globally resonant through Gaia Film Production, and I’m open to conversations that go beyond a single project and evolve into something more lasting, meaningful collaborations.
I believe the most impactful work comes from clarity of vision and the right alignment of people, and I’m excited to connect with those who are building with the same intent.
Ankita S Pandey will be joining the She Squad at Cannes 2026.
ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER
Johanna K. Lumi is a Finnish-born, London-based actress and interviewer working across the UK, Nordic and wider European film industries. With an active career in acting and experience across directing, casting and production, she has also conducted red carpet interviews at the Finnish Oscars, bringing an industry-insider perspective to her work.
At the Marché du Film 2026, she is conducting interviews for Yes She Cannes, spotlighting female creatives and building relationships across the global film community. Alongside her acting work, she is developing a cross-Scandinavian production and expanding her presence across European markets. (IG: @johannak.lumi )
Post created by Isabella Bonfante (IG: @isabellabonfante )
Yes She Cannes is a global platform dedicated to elevating women in film through visibility, connection and access - creating meaningful opportunities at Cannes and beyond. Follow along: @yesshecannes
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