Payal Kapadia, born in 1986 in Mumbai, India, is an acclaimed filmmaker known for her innovative storytelling and unique cinematic style. She is the daughter of renowned painter and video artist Nalini Malani. Kapadia completed her early education at Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh, where she developed a passion for avant-garde cinema. She pursued a Bachelor's degree in economics from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, followed by a one-year master's program at Sophia College. Eventually, she studied film direction at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), gaining recognition after her short film "Afternoon Clouds" was selected for the 70th Cannes Film Festival in 2017.