Friday, May 17 marked another dynamic day at The American Pavilion during the Cannes International Film Festival, featuring a lineup of thought-provoking discussions and a special film unveiling event. Here’s a recap of the day’s highlights:
3:00 PM | INDUSTRY IN FOCUS: DOCUMENTARIES
The afternoon kicked off with a stimulating conversation titled “Industry in Focus: Documentaries”. With the “Golden Age” of documentaries potentially behind us, industry experts explored what lies ahead for this genre in the marketplace. The esteemed panel comprised:
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
Leading the discussion was Stewart Clarke, Senior Vice President of Content, International, at Deadline.
4:30 PM | INDUSTRY IN FOCUS: FILM FESTIVALS
Next on the agenda was “Industry in Focus: Film Festivals”, shedding light on the pivotal role of film festivals in the indie film ecosystem. Representatives from influential U.S. festivals convened to discuss the challenges they face and their strategies for fostering connections between filmmakers and audiences. The panelists included:
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
Guiding the conversation was Matt Donnelly, Senior Entertainment & Media Writer at Variety.
6:00 PM | UNVEILING ‘THE GLASSWORKER’
The day concluded with the unveiling of “The Glassworker”, presented by the Pakistani Crescent Collective. Attendees were treated to an insightful discussion with the team behind Pakistan’s first 2D Hand Drawn Feature, ahead of its premiere at Annecy. Key panelists included:
Usman Riaz, Director
Khizer Riaz, Producer
Facilitating 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 stood as the focal point 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 continues to be a vital hub for industry professionals and emerging talents alike.
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