Nitanshi Goel of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Becomes One of the Youngest Ever to Attend Festival de Cannes at 17
At just 17, actress Nitanshi Goel is set to make history with her debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year!
The Festival de Cannes is recognized as one of the most significant events on the global social calendar for achievers across various fields. While its core remains a celebration of cinema, the prestigious event also serves as a platform for emerging talents and distinguished individuals to showcase their accomplishments on the world stage.
In 2025, Indian actress Nitanshi Goel of Laapataa Ladies fame made history as the youngest debutante to grace the Festival de Cannes at just 17 years old.
While Cannes is best known for celebrating cinematic excellence, it has also been a launchpad for several young prodigies who left a lasting mark on the global stage. Here are five remarkable young entrants in the history of the festival who not only made their debut but also achieved significant milestones:
1. Yuya Yagira – Youngest Best Actor at 16
In 2004, Japanese actor Yuya Yagira became the youngest recipient of the Best Actor award at Cannes. Just 16 at the time, he earned the honor for his powerful performance in Nobody Knows.
2. Louis Malle – Youngest Filmmaker Honored at 24
In 1956, French filmmaker Louis Malle received the prestigious Palme d’Or at only 24 years old for his groundbreaking documentary The Silent World, co-directed with Jacques Cousteau.
3. Valeria Cotto & Brooklynn Prince – Youngest Stars at 6 and 7
In 2017, the red carpet welcomed two of Cannes’ youngest ever stars: Valeria Cotto (6) and Brooklynn Prince (7), who attended for their roles in the critically acclaimed film The Florida Project.
4. Avneet Kaur – Youngest Actress to Launch a Film Poster at 22
In 2024, Indian actress Avneet Kaur became the youngest to launch a film poster at Cannes. At 22, she unveiled the poster of her international project Love in Vietnam, marking a significant milestone in her career.
5. Nitanshi Goel – Youngest Indian Actress on the Cannes Red Carpet at 17
Rising to fame with her powerful performance in the award-winning Laapataa Ladies, Nitanshi Goel made waves in 2025 by walking the Cannes red carpet at just 17, becoming the youngest Indian actress to do so.
Credits: Nitanshi Goel Instagram
