Friday, May 17 witnessed a dynamic array of events at The American Pavilion during the Cannes International Film Festival, featuring engaging industry discussions and a highly anticipated film premiere. Here’s a roundup of the day’s highlights:
3:00 PM | INDUSTRY IN FOCUS: DOCUMENTARIES
The afternoon commenced with an intriguing conversation titled “Industry in Focus: Documentaries”. With speculation about the end of the “Golden Age” of documentaries, industry insiders delved into the future of this genre in the marketplace. The distinguished panel included:
Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries
Matt Burke, VP of Sales at Submarine
Nanette Burstein, Filmmaker of Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (Cannes Classics)
Deborah Riley Draper, Filmmaker of James Brown: Say it Loud
John Sloss, Founder & CEO of Cinetic Media
Guiding the discussion was Stewart Clarke, Senior Vice President of Content, International, at Deadline.
4:30 PM | INDUSTRY IN FOCUS: FILM FESTIVALS
Following that, the focus shifted to “Industry in Focus: Film Festivals”, highlighting the crucial role of film festivals in the indie film ecosystem. Representatives from prominent U.S. festivals convened to discuss the challenges they encounter and their strategies for bringing filmmakers and audiences together. The panelists featured:
Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV at SXSW
Mimi Plauche, Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival
Paul Rachman, Co-founder of Slamdance
Anu Rangachar, Artistic Director of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
Leading the conversation was Matt Donnelly, Senior Entertainment & Media Writer at Variety.
6:00 PM | UNVEILING ‘THE GLASSWORKER’
The day culminated in the unveiling of “The Glassworker”, presented by the Pakistani Crescent Collective. Attendees were treated to an exclusive talk with the team behind Pakistan’s first 2D Hand Drawn Feature, ahead of its premiere at Annecy. Key figures included:
Usman Riaz, Director
Khizer Riaz, Producer
Moderating the event was Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee.
About The American Pavilion
For over 30 years, The American Pavilion has been the central hub for the American film community at the Cannes International Film Festival. Since its inception in 1989, The Pavilion has provided hospitality and communication services to thousands of Americans attending the Cannes Film Festival and Marché. Offering a range of facilities and services, including membership for the international film community, insightful programming, the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, immersive student programs, and more, The American Pavilion remains an indispensable resource for industry professionals and emerging talents alike.
For more information, please visit:
