Cannes Market Dailies

Special Guests Include John Carpenter, Luca Guadagnino and many more.

Acclaimed actors, innovative filmmakers, independent film trailblazers and headline making journalists will be among those featured during the upcoming “Industry In Focus” Series and “In Conversation” programming at The American Pavilion at the 2019 Cannes International Film Festival, it was announced by Julie Sisk, Founder and Director of The American Pavilion (www.ampav.com).     

The American Pavilion’s discussions and one-on-one in conversations take place in the Roger Ebert Conference Center and are open to all AmPav members. 

We kick off the festival with fascinating In Conversation events with award-winning filmmakers John Carpenter and Luca Guadagnino.

Programming includes executives and moderators from IMDb, Amazon Studios, Indiewire, The Wrap, XYZ Films, Disney, WME, Roadside Attractions LLC, Film Independent, Ribbow Media, The Wild Immersion VR, Simulated Reality, LLC,  Zambezi Partners, Springboard VR, Cairo International Film Festival, Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, Film Society at Lincoln Center, UCLA’s Global Media Center for Social Impact, Freestyle Releasing, Vanishing Angle, Arclight Films, Submarine, Cinelytic, StoryFit,  Sawyer Studios, Screen Anarchy, among other notable speakers.

Diverse topics being covered in the Series include: Distribution Throw-Down – Netflix Vs. Theaters, Producing for VR, Building a Global Village Frame By Frame, American Directors at Cannes, Breaking Through Together: Connecting Emergent Voices, Creating Alliances, Transforming Structures, Industry in Focus series – It’s Called Show Business, The Golden Age of Documentaries, The Music of the Cannes Film Festival, State of Play – Artificial intelligence, Big Data and the Film Industry, and The Art of the Pitch.

Queer Night, which has become the best, biggest and only gay dance party event tied to the Festival, will take place on Tuesday, May 21 beginning at 9:00PM and entry is gratis to ALL Festival badge holders. 

AmPav’s Emerging Filmmaker Showcase will celebrate its 22nd year at Cannes this year, with an impressive program featuring 29 short documentary and narrative films by up-and-coming filmmakers from the U.S. and around the world, all of which will screen at The American Pavilion during the festival. This years films show AmnPav’s commitment to inclusion with 17 female directors or co-directors and 11 LGBTQ themed films in the program. Additionally this year in partnership with the Colin Higgins Foundation, The American Pavilion recently announced scholarships for LGBTQ students will celebrate its inaugural year honoring two gifted and hardworking trailblazers – both filmmakers and activists: Alex McFry and Julie Tjalas.

The American Pavilion’s Worldwide Student Program continues its streak of student satisfaction year over year, with an increasing number of students returning to do the student program this year as Alumni. This year’s student program also shows a welcome uptick of women participants, with female students outnumbering the male students nearly 2 to 1. 

Past Student Program alumni include director Jeff Nicholls, acquisitions executive Scott Shooman, CAA agent Dakhil Maha, Killer Films production executive David Hinojosa, MGM Television’s VP of Business and Legal Affairs Kathryn Floro, Syfy development director Eli Kirschner, Barack Obama’s White House videographer Hope Hall, and producers Cameron Porsandeh, Alex Shepsman, and Bryan Wynbrandt, among many others.

“Celebrating our 31st year in Cannes, The American Pavilion is honored to be able to continue our mission to be the foremost inclusive, international, independent representation for American Filmmakers, at a time when divisive politics work to separate us. We look forward to supporting a new generation of students and emerging filmmakers,” said Julie Sisk, The American Pavilion’s Founder.

The American Pavilion would also like to thank our sponsors for Cannes 2019: 

The following is the full programming schedule. 

All schedule, panels and guests are subject to changes and additions.

_______________________________________________________________

2019 American Pavilion Schedule

Tuesday, May 14

Opening Day / Night

Wednesday, May 15

2:30PM

Industry In Focus: Secrets of PR Pros

Top film publicists share their tips and insights into the often misunderstood world of film publicity.

●      Emma Griffiths / Emma Griffiths PR, President

●      Annie Jeeves / Cinematic Red, Publicist & Founder

●      RJ Millard / Obscured Pictures, President

●      Moderated by Sylvia Desrochers / Big Time PR, President & Owner

6-8PM – Member cocktail party

Thursday, May 16

11:00AM

Industry In Focus: Producing For VR

Explore strategies and practical approaches to creating Virtual Reality content that is both compelling and considers the financial ramifications.   

●      Ash Greyson, Ribbow Media, VR investor

●      Adrien Moisson, The Wild Immersion VR

●      Danilo Moura, Simulated Reality, LLC, Founder

●      Jenna Seiden, Zambezi Partners, Co-Founder

●      Will Stackable, Springboard VR

●      Moderated by Maxim Jago, Futurist, VR consultant, and author of manuals for leading editing software platforms - Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media composer

12:30PM

In Conversation: John Carpenter

Legendary filmmaker, composer, and master of the horror genre, John Carpenter (The Thing, Halloween, Christine) will receive the 2019 Golden Coach Award at Directors’ Fortnight and then join us at AmPav for a conversation with IMDb’s Keith Simanton.

●      Moderated by Keith Simanton, IMDb, Senior Film Editor

2:00PM

Industry In Focus: It’s Called Show Business

A panel of experts connect the dots on independent film financing. Topics include finding investors, properly setting up your production company in order to receive investor’s money, and the do’s and the don’ts of film financing.

●      Jonathan Gray, Producer and entertainment attorney (Moonlight)

●      Julie Goldman, Oscar nominated producer (One Child Nation)

●      Krysanne Katsoolis, Financing & acquisitions (The Cove)

●      Corky Kessler, Attorney and EP (Sum of Us, Driveways, Human Capital)

●      Ramfis Myrthil, Producer (Mary Pickford biopic)

●      Fredrik Zander, Producer (The Dead Don't Die)

●      Moderated by Dave DeBorde, Producer & Film Professor

4:00PM

Industry In Focus: Storytellers and the Creative Process

At the heart of every great film is the story. A group of accomplished filmmakers come together to discuss the creative process and their take on what makes for a truly good story.

• Noah Lang, Producer (The Climb)
• Natalie Metzger, Vanishing Angle, VP of Development & Production (Greener Grass, Thunder Road), Director
• Iram Parveen Bilal, Filmmaker (Wakhri / One of a Kind screening in Cinefondation)
• Ross Fremer, COO, Cinetic Media
• Moderator  TBD

Friday, May 17

11:00AM

Building A Global Village, Frame By Frame

Presented in partnership with Film Independent

For over 35 years, Film Independent has cultivated the careers of filmmakers and built a community of artists across the US.  As we broaden our scope globally, we explore with some of our international filmmakers, mentors, and partners the role of mentorship in building bridges of collaboration between visual storytellers across international borders.

●       Eric d’Arbeloff, Co-President, Roadside Attractions LLC and Board Member, Film Independent

●       Mohamed Hefzy, President of the Cairo International Film Festival, Producer (Clash, Sheikh Jackson)

●       Myriam Sassine, Producer, Abbout Productions  (Amal, Panoptic, Tramontane)

●       Ryan Zacarias, Producer (Give Me Liberty, Bull, The Mountain)

●       Moderated by Maria Raquel Bozzi, Film Independent, Senior Director of Education & International Initiatives

12:30PM

American Directors At Cannes – Panel 1

The directors of some of the hottest titles at Cannes discuss their process, their careers, and their experience at the world’s most prestigious film festival.

●      Pippa Bianco - Director, Share

●      Michael Covino - Director, The Climb

●      Robert Eggers - Director, The Lighthouse

●      Danielle Lessovitz - Director, Port Authority

●      Kirill Mikhanovsky - Director, Give Me Liberty

●      Annie Silverstein - Director, Bull

●      Moderated by Aaron Hillis, Cinedigm

3:00PM

In Conversation: XYZ

XYZ Films’ partners are here to talk about their filmmaker-driven independent films from around the world and how they get them made within today’s independent film financing models.  Credits include The Raid, The Raid 2, The Invitation, I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Mandy, Apostle, the upcoming Stowaway, starting production in June.

●      Nate Bolotin, Founder, XYZ Films

●      Todd Brown, Producer, XYZ Films

●      Nick Spicer, Founder, XYZ Films

●      Aram Tertzakian, Founder, XYZ Films

●      Moderated by Mike Hostench, Deputy Director, Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival

4:00PM

Breaking Through Together: Connecting Emergent Voices, Creating Alliances, Transforming Structures

Sponsored by Lizzy Bentley of Marginalia Media and Tim Disney of Uncommon Productions. This conversation will focus on sharing strategies and creating alliances among non-traditional filmmakers, curators and industry thought leaders.

·      Marianne Khoury, (Egypt, director/producer) The Times of Laura, Women Who Love Cinema and Zelal. Currently finishing feature, Ehkeely.

• Rose Kuo, (USA/China, curator), Established the Qingdao Movie Metropolis at the Wanda Group in Beijing. Previously, Executive Director of the Film Society at Lincoln Center.

●      Nina Menkes, (USA/Germany, writer/director/producer), Queen of Diamonds, The Bloody Child and Phantom Love. Her work has screened at Sundance, Toronto, Locarno and the Berlinale.

●      Sandra De Castro Buffington, (USA/Brazil, advocacy and policy), Founding Director of UCLA’s Global Media Center for Social Impact. Previously directed Hollywood, Health and Society at the USC Norman Lear Center.

●      Moderated by Lizzy Bentley (USA, writer/producer), producer of A Hidden Life, (dir. Terrence Malick) premiering in competition. Previous films, Beautiful Darling and Nanking.

6:00PM - 8:00PM

Stage32.com MeetUp

Join the Stage32.com creative community (the largest online community of filmmakers in the world) as we have a happy hour meetup at the American Pavilion. This meetup is open to all creatives with a Marche due Film badge (cash bar). Network with Stage 32ers that have films screening at Cannes and collaborate with each other on future projects. Everyone who has an American Pavilion badge will receive a free Stage 32 webinar.

11:00AM

Industry In Focus: The Future of Crowdfunding

The practice of raising money online is no longer a novelty but what’s next?  Can we maintain the status quo or is there something bigger on the horizon?

• Benjamin Wiessner, Vanishing Angle
• Ash Greyson, Ribbow Media, VR investor
• Tom Bancroft, Disney animator/producer (The Lion King, Mulan)
• Natasha Marshburger, Exec Director, London Independent FF
•  Moderator TBD

12:30PM

Industry In Focus: Distribution Throw-Down -Neflix Vs. Theaters

Filmmakers have more opportunities than ever when it comes to distributing their work and every film’s success story is unique. The challenge is finding the right release strategy for each project in a sea of options.

• Brian Beckmann, Arclight Films, CFO (First Reformed, Hotel Mumbai)
• Chris Charalambous, Entertainment Studios’ Freestyle Releasing, Head of Acquisitions
• Cassian Elwes, Elevated
• Matt Miller, Vanishing Angle (Thunder Road, A Bread Factory Part 1 & Part 2)
• Tom Quinn, NEON, Founder & CEO (Parasite, Border)
• Harris Tulchin, Entertainment Attorney / Producer’s Rep
• Moderated by Anne Thompson, Indiewire

2:00PM

Industry In Focus: The Golden Age of Documentaries

Documentaries are more popular than ever, with boffo box office and visibility on streaming services worldwide.  How did we get here, what’s the current landscape, and what does the future hold for nonfiction storytelling?

• Dan Braun, Submarine, Sales Agent & Producer (Wild Wild Country, Evil Genius, Pick of the Litter)
• Ben Braun, Submarine
• Midge Costin, Director/Producer, USC Professor (Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound)
• Julie Goldman, Oscar nominated producer (Abacus, Life, Animated, One Child Nation)
• Noah C. Haeussner, Producer
• Tom Quinn, NEON, Founder & CEO (Three Identical Strangers, Apollo 11)
• Moderated by Steve Pond, The Wrap

4-5:15PM

Speed Dating With Casting Society of America

A rare opportunity for filmmakers to make contact and seek casting advice in one-on-one meetings with casting directors. Participation is by invitation only.  Interested filmmakers should contact info@castingsociety.com

• Nancy Bishop (Mediaeval, The Romanoffs, Knightfall)
• Sarah Trevis (Mary Poppins Returns, Phantom Thread, Pennyworth)
• Brad Gilmore (Pixies, Burying The Ex, Default)
• Nicci Topping (Peacemaker, Northern Soul, The Bloodlands)
• Shakyra Dowling (Moscow Noir, No Fathers In Kashmir, Scarborough)
• Kristina Erderly (Eaten By Lions, Love Death And Robots)
• Sandie Perez (The Eddy, Translators, By The Grace Of God)
• Pamela Guest (Blue Velvet, Patty Hearst, The First of Many)

5:30PM

The AmPav and Le Ballon Rouge Beachside Playdate

The American Pavilion celebrates Le Ballon Rouge Initiative: Where Kids are the New Vips  We welcome all the kids and parents in Cannes to be part of a beach playdate at The AmPav. Enjoy cocktails on the beach with other parents. Kids are welcome (though not required).  Building sandcastles encouraged.

Sunday, May 19

11:00AM

Industry In Focus: The Music of Cannes Film Festival

Presenting the power of music in storytelling and the creative process of composers collaborating with filmmakers.

• Nainita Desai, For Sama
• Kristian Eidnes Andersen, Vivarium
• Walter Mair, HBO’s The Hunt for Jihadi Jon, Balance not Symmetry
• Allyson Newman, Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
• Moderated by Thomas Mikusz, White Bear PR

12:15PM

In Conversation: Luca Guadagnino

The director behind some of the most exciting cinema of recent years - Suspiria, Call Me By Your Name, A Bigger Splash - visits AmPav to discuss his latest feature, The Staggering Girl, screening in Directors’ Fortnight.

●      Moderated by Scott Foundas, Amazon Studios

 2:00PM

Industry In Focus: State of Play – Artificial Intelligence,  Bug Data and The Film Industry

Can machine learning and algorithms make creating, discovering and releasing films better?

• Mark Bessen, CTO, StoryFit
• Juha Koski, Co-Founder and CEO, Itcher
• Angel Montesdeoca, Lead Product Manager, IBM Watson AI
• Dev Sen, Co-Founder and CTO, Cinelytic
• Adrian Zapata Fory, Product Manager, IBM Watson AI
• Moderated by Zachary Soreff, President, Sawyer Studios

4-6:30PM - LGBT Showcase & Reception

Monday, May 20

10:00AM

Making  Socially Responsible Films - Imprisoned

Presented by Cinema Libre Studio

Equitas Entertainment Partners (EPP) shares model for socially responsible, fiscally responsible filmmaking and specifically gender pay equity with the Laurence Fishburne film "Imprisoned"

• Paul Kampf, Director, Imprisoned, Co-founder, EPP
• Holly Levow, Exec.Producer, Imprisoned; Co-founder, EPP
• Tom Sperry, Producer, Imprisoned; Co-founder, EPP
• Moderated by Philippe Diaz, Cinema Libre Studio

2:00PM

Industry In Focus: The Art of the Pitch

Best practices for pitching your project to investors, potential partners, and all the other gatekeepers.

• Ryland Aldrich, Producer (Folk Hero & Funny Guy) & Film Festival Editor at Screen Anarchy
• Tom Bancroft, Disney animator/producer (The Lion King, Mulan)
• Joe Belcastro, VP of Creative, Showrunner at WWE
• Lizzy Bentley, producer (A Hidden Life, premiering in competition, Beautiful Darling, Nanking)
• Ramfis Myrthil, Producer (Mary Pickford biopic)
• Moderated by Dave DeBorde, Producer & Film Professor

3:30PM

Film Panel: for Sama

FOR SAMA is both an intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war.  A love letter from a young mother to her daughter, the film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her.  Coming off wins at SXSW and HotDocs, the film is an official selection at Cannes.

• Waad Alkateab - Director
• Edward Watts - Director
• Erika Howard, Frontline, Impact Producer
• Moderated by Alissa Wilkinson, Vox

Tuesday, May 21

Emerging Filmmaker Showcase Day

11AM-1:15PM – Emerging Filmmaker Student Showcase

4:00PM-6:30PM - Emerging Filmmaker Showcase

9:00PM –Queer Night Party

Wednesday, May 22

1:00PM

Film Comment Podcast LIVE

In a special live edition of Film Comment’s regular Cannes podcasts, editor-in-chief Nicolas Rapold and colleagues look at the selection through the lens of pastr films and the art of cinema.

Moderator:  Nicolas Rapold,  Editor-in-Chief of Film  Comment

Thursday, May 23

Friday, May 24

 Saturday, May 25

Festival Closing Day/Night

 *********************************************************************** 

About the American Pavilion 

The American Pavilion, celebrating its 31st year as the epicenter of American hospitality and communication at the Cannes International Film Festival, brings together both professional and emerging filmmakers along with industry executives from across the globe. A much sought-after destination for information, orientation, and recreation, it accommodates the needs of its members, guests and sponsors in a dynamic business environment. With its impressive array of amenities and services, AmPav provides an opportunity to relax in very comfortable surroundings.

The American Pavilion boasts the Roger Ebert Conference Series which offers insightful and provocative panel discussions and in-conversations with filmmakers, talent and top leaders; a restaurant and bar that provide fast service with a smile throughout the day and is open to all festival badge holders after 6:00pm most evenings; a coffee bar; free WiFi and charging stations; a media terrace with a panoramic view of the Riviera; the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase; the Culinary Program featuring chefs from across the US and Canada; The American Pavilion Worldwide Student Program; and public and private rental for parties and receptions.