They say first experiences leave a lasting imprint — and for Shweta Tripathi, it all began with a simple love for performing. Long before she fully understood the craft of acting, she knew she felt at home on stage and wanted to keep chasing that feeling.
That instinct eventually led to her debut film Masaan, which premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and went on to win two awards, including the FIPRESCI Prize.
The news of Masaan heading to Cannes arrived during another milestone moment in her life. Shweta had just attended her first international festival with Haramkhor at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, where she won the Best Actor award.
She was on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco when director Neeraj Ghaywan called to share the news about Masaan. That moment, she recalls, transformed her understanding of cinema — shifting her perspective beyond box office numbers to the power of stories crossing borders and sparking conversations.
This year marked another significant first as Shweta attended the Berlin International Film Festival for the very first time — an experience she had long wished for.
Now stepping into the role of producer alongside acting, she chose to approach Berlinale as a learner. She immersed herself in panel discussions, explored films from diverse cultures, and engaged with global voices shaping contemporary storytelling.
Among the highlights of her visit were watching international films, attending a live orchestra screening of Charlie Chaplin’s work, and meeting Jack Thorne, the writer of Adolescence.
For Shweta, film festivals offer a unique perspective on storytelling — a reminder that cinema transcends borders and belongs to audiences everywhere.
As she continues evolving in her career, she now hopes to bring her own films to the global festival stage in the future.
After Berlinale, her journey continues to Amsterdam, where she plans to attend a live concert by Hans Zimmer — carrying with her fresh inspiration from cinema, music, and the path ahead.
For Shweta, the journey through global storytelling has only just begun.
