Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival

General Information

Since 1989, The American Pavilion has offered film students the opportunity to participate in The Worldwide Student Programs, an internship/educational program that takes place at The Cannes International Film  Festival. There are four distinct programs offered at Cannes:

The Cannes Film & Business Program
The Cannes Culinary Program
The Cannes Hospitality & Event Management Program
The Cannes Alumni Program

Thousands of industry professionals including award winners such as Morgan J. Freeman (whose film Hurricane Streets became the first narrative film to win three awards at The Sundance Film Festival), Jeff Nichols, (Director, Writer, Producer, Take Shelter & Mud), and Alexa Alemanni (SAG Award-winning actress) are alumni of the program.  In 2009, USC student Ryan Coogler, screened his 6 minute student film, Locks in the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase. A few years later, he was back in Cannes with Fruitvale Station and then in 2018 back in Cannes with his blockbuster, Black Panther, screening in the Cinéma de la Plage on the beach.  Tessa Blake (Election, 2015) is currently directing many TV shows.  Manjari Makijany (I See You (2017) and The Corner Table (2014) went on to make Skater Girl (Netflix, 2021) and direct Spin (Disney Channel, 2021). Alex Camilleri (2010 Student Documentary winner, Still Here) went on to win the 2022 Independent Spirit Award – Someone to Watch Award for Luzzi and a 2022 Sundance official selection.

About the Showcase

Founded in 1997, The Emerging Filmmaker Showcase provides an opportunity for young filmmakers to have their work seen by Cannes Festival and Film Market attendees. Prizes will be awarded to filmmakers and the top 25 to 35 films will be screened in a special “Emerging Filmmaker” showcase at The American Pavilion in Cannes for an invited audience of industry professionals. We also have a screening block of LGBTQ films.

All finalists receive one Cannes Film Festival accreditation badge and one membership in The American Pavilion.