The project, submitted by Bengaluru-based organisations Mantra Social Services and ShikshaLokam, both part of the broader Shikshagraha movement, has been recognised alongside some of the world's most influential campaigns delivering measurable social impact. The achievement places a community-driven education initiative from rural Bihar on one of the world's most prestigious platforms for creativity and social change.
At the centre of the initiative is the Shiksha Chaupal, a community engagement model developed through years of grassroots work that brings together mothers, fathers, young people, and local leaders to openly discuss the barriers preventing girls from completing their education. Through collective discussions and public commitments, communities pledge to ensure that girls remain in school and are protected from child marriage.
The initiative has so far organised more than 28,000 community gatherings across 14 districts of Bihar, mobilising over 800,000 citizens in support of girls' education and gender equality.
The eight-minute documentary Mothers of Courage, directed by Vandana R and produced by Butterfly Effect Media, captures these community conversations and highlights the women leading social transformation within their villages.
Khushboo Awasthi, Co-founder of Mantra4Change and Chief Curator of Shikshagraha, said the women featured in the documentary are not activists in the conventional sense but mothers and mothers-in-law who chose to challenge deeply rooted social norms. Some fought for their daughters' education, while others broke tradition by sending their daughters-in-law back to school. She said the recognition belongs to them and to the thousands of communities across Bihar that have demonstrated how collective action can create lasting social change. She added that receiving acknowledgement on a global platform such as Cannes Lions is both humbling and encouraging.
The Sustainable Development Goals Lions category honours work that advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through measurable social impact. It is regarded as one of the festival's most competitive categories, placing strong emphasis on demonstrable outcomes and meaningful societal change.
Director Vandana R said the strength of the documentary came from documenting an existing movement rather than creating a narrative around it. She stated that everything shown in Mothers of Courage emerged from genuine conversations taking place across villages in Bihar, while the filmmakers' role was simply to listen, observe, and document. According to her, the courage and determination reflected in the film came entirely from the women themselves.
The Cannes Lions shortlist adds to a growing list of honours for the project, including the Best Inspirational Film award at the Los Angeles Film Awards 2026 and a Silver award in the Sustainable Development Goals category at the ABBY Awards 2026.
For Shikshagraha, the international recognition underscores the growing visibility of community-led approaches to strengthening public education and advancing gender equality across India.
Championed by S.D. Shibulal, Co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Infosys, along with Bengaluru-based non-profit organisations ShikshaLokam and Mantra4Change, Shikshagraha collaborates with more than 30 partner organisations across 16 states to strengthen public education systems and improve learning outcomes for children studying in government schools.
Shikshagraha describes itself as a people-powered movement committed to improving all one million public schools in India so that every child experiences meaningful learning and is prepared for the future. The movement places children at the centre of education by promoting their learning, confidence, well-being, and aspirations while empowering parents, women, young people, teachers, school leaders, and government officials to drive continuous improvements within the public education system.
At present, the Shikshagraha network, comprising more than 30 civil society, industry, and philanthropic partners, is collectively strengthening over 117,000 schools across 35 districts in 16 states and Union Territories. The initiative supports education leaders in implementing need-based school improvements while encouraging greater participation from women, young people, and local communities. By promoting collective action among communities, governments, civil society organisations, and private stakeholders, the movement seeks to transform public schools and improve educational opportunities where they are needed most.
The Cannes Lions recognition marks a significant milestone for India's community-driven education reforms, highlighting how sustained grassroots engagement can influence global conversations on gender equality, public education, and measurable social impact.
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