Kalki Koechlin’s ‘Her Song’ to Open Cinequest Film Festival

Indian actress Kalki Koechlin stars in Her Song, a French comedy-drama executive produced by Oscar winner James Ivory, which will premiere as the opening night film at the 2026 Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California, on March 10.

A Story of Family, Memory, and Artistic Inspiration

Set in a quiet village in the French Pyrenees, Her Song follows Olivia, an American writer who returns to her family’s ancestral home. The home holds a significant history, as her grandmother fled Paris there during the Nazi invasion in World War II. Olivia hopes the journey will break her writer’s block and allow her to finish a novel she’s been struggling with for years.

In the village, Olivia encounters Madeline, a spirited and talented woman who evokes memories of her grandmother. Olivia begins to incorporate details from Madeline’s life into her fictional narrative, leading to the intertwining of three storylines: her grandmother’s past, the novel she is writing, and Olivia’s present-day experiences. The film explores how these narratives illuminate each other, blurring the lines between life and art.

International Cast and Crew

Alongside Koechlin, who plays Olivia, the film features an international cast including Eléa Clair as Madeline, Zach Grenier, Thais Sobreira, Marie-Christine Adam, Julien Jacob, Aldo D’Ibaños, and Christophe Grundmann.

Her Song marks Koechlin’s first role in a French and English-language film, building on her acclaimed work in Indian cinema, including her National Film Award-winning performance in Margarita with a Straw, as well as roles in Gully Boy and the series Sacred Games.

The film is directed by John M. Keller and counts James Ivory (known for films such as Call Me By Your Name and A Room with a View) as executive producer, alongside Eric Gruendemann. Cinematography is by Wilhelm Kuhn and Thomas Walser, with music composed by Dhruv Goel and editing by Maud Babinot.

Cinequest’s Vision for Innovation

Michael Rabehl, Cinequest Director of Programming &amp. Associate Director, emphasized the film’s resonance with the festival’s values. He stated that Her Song “immediately captured the attention” of organizers because it felt “alive to curiosity, memory, and the quiet magic of human connection.”

Rabehl added that the film embodies Cinequest’s belief that innovation isn’t always about grand gestures, but can be found in “attentiveness, in empathy, in the courage to follow a story where it wants to go.” He described Her Song as a film that “invites you to lean forward, open your heart, and trust the journey,” making it a fitting opening night selection.