Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning film All We Imagine As Light has made it to former US President Barack Obama’s annual list of favourite movies. The film, which has been on an award-winning spree, features right at the top of Obama’s most recommended movies of 2024 list.

Sharing the list on X Friday, Obama wrote, “Here are a few movies I’d recommend checking out this year.”

Obama’s list also included notable titles like Edward Berger’s Conclave, Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson, Nikolaj Arcel’s The Promised Land, Mohammad Rasoulof's The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, Sean Baker's Anora, Sean Wang's Didi, Julian Brave NoiseCat-Emily Kassie's Sugarcane and James Mangold's A Complete Unknown.

This tradition of sharing cultural recommendations has become a hallmark of Obama's post-White House years, offering insight into his diverse artistic tastes. Obama, who served as the President of the United States from 2008 to 2016, has consistently used social media as a platform to highlight films, books, and music that resonate with him, fostering a deeper appreciation for art and storytelling.

All We Imagine As Light has been garnering widespread acclaim on the global stage following its historic Grand Prix win at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Payal Kapadia became the first Indian filmmaker in three decades to compete in Cannes’ main competition section. All We Imagine As Light also secured nominations for Golden Globes and the Critics’ Choice Awards 2025. Kapadia also received the Spirit of Cinema award at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) on Friday.

All We Imagine As Light is a Malayalam-language drama exploring the intertwined lives of Prabha, a nurse grappling with an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, and Anu, her young roommate navigating intimacy with her boyfriend. Their journey to a beach town becomes a transformative exploration of desires and emotions. Featuring standout performances by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, the film is an Indo-French co-production by Petit Chaos (France), Chalk & Cheese, and Another Birth (India).