S Viswanath

As the global film community assembles at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (Palace of Festivals and Conference) for the nine-day annual gala celebration of cinemas.

Congregate to connect, confabulate and more importantly, do business and strike deals, a mixed melange of meetings, conferences and other high profile academic dos await the assemblage under the aegis of Marche du Film or the Film Market at the Grand Theatre of boulevard of Promenade de la Croisette.

The nine days, when the best of contemporary cinemas and other auteur works unspool before the cinephiles, will also see world’s numero uno film market, offering unmatched networking opportunities across 250 industry events, 1,500 film market screenings, and 4,000 projects billed as the ultimate platform for driving business, closing deals, and fostering new partnerships.

It is where connections turn into opportunities wherein film industry professionals from 140 countries, spark collaborations and experience the magic of cinema against the illustrious and iconic backdrop of Cannes! where cinema, business opportunities and innovation come together.

Among the strands of networking events include Spotlight Asia a transcontinental initiative highlighting the Asian film market and encouraging global collaboration. With a focus on dynamic Asian IP market offering co-producers fresh content and insights into working with Asian partners and film funds.

Likewise, Goes to Cannes provides a unique showcase bringing together film festivals and markets from all corners of the globe where participants can discover their curated selection of original works-in-progress and connect with the creative talents behind the projects.

With marquee names in attendance such as Writer, Director and Producer Ari Aster, Director, Producer and Screenwriter Fatih Akin, Composer Mateus Alves, Crunchyroll Senior Vice President Mitchel Berger, Amazon MGM Studious Head – France & Japan Thomas Dubois, Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne, Polish director Agnieszka Holland, Kojima Productions Game Creator & Author Hideo Kojima, Motion Picture Association (MPA) President Charles H Rivkin, International Production & Distribution – Miramax Senior Vice President Yvette Zhuang and the like, Marche du Film conferences promises a veritable sumptuous takeaways for diversified and divergent participants expected to participate in.

From India, you have State-run National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) hosting a high powered panel session entitled India’s Creative Economy: In Cinema and Beyond at Bharat (India) Pavilion in association with Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at Main State at 108, Village International Riviera, Cannes, on May 14, from 12 noon to 1 pm.

The Bharat (India) Pavilion provides international showcase of Indian cinema from different regions, promotes ease of film shooting and incentivizes co-production between India and the world.

The theme of India Pavilion this year is “Create In India” wherein significant presence of senior government officials, producers, distributors, prominent creative artists, and business leaders from India, will be in attendance.

The Bharat Pavilion will witness knowledge sessions, thematic roundtables, G2G/B2B meetings, networking cocktail evenings, film launches, etc. to discuss the best practices followed for promotion of cinema, film making and marketing and exploring avenues of possible collaboration with India.

Among other interesting and topical panel discussions include – Female Visibility, Voice and Creative Power in Genre Film on May 14, 2025, 17:00 – 18:00 Palais Stage (Palais -1) celebrating women shaping genre through bold storytelling, innovation and creative leadership. The session moderated by Yes She Cannes CEO & Founder Faith Elizabeth, with participation by Sitges Foundation – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia General Director Mònica Garcia, Cinebaby Co-Owner and Sales Director Justine Ray Le Solliec, Disauthority Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Head of Production, and Lead Creative Producer Maria Shevtsova, Design Essentials International Marketing Manager Sharon, deliberating on multifarious purpose-driven creatives to explore how diverse and inclusive cinema can empower the world.

Likewise, FIAPF Forward-Looking Session: Collectively Shaping the Future of Film Festivals ⁠panel the same day at 17:00 – 18:00 deliberates on how film festivals ecosystem is facing a growing array of complex challenges. These include financial uncertainty, operational hurdles, and promotional difficulties. Film festivals deploy a variety of initiatives and collective strategies to overcome these obstacles. FIAPF is renewing its rendezvous launched in 2024 aiming at shaping a viable future for film festivals, wherein the panel will share insights and learn more about inspiring initiatives, with the session being moderated by FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations Managing Director Benoit Ginisty and FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Associations Festivals Senior Director Florence Girot.

On May 15, 2025, at 10 am – 12 noon you have Asian Women’s Cinema: Status, Breakthrough, Solidarity reflecting upon Asian cinema today and shared landscape where cultural traditions and women’s societal roles deeply intersect. Against this backdrop, leading women filmmakers and creators from across Asia explore women’s cinematic narratives and evolving realities of women in film—examining both challenges and breakthroughs from a global perspective. The one-hour panel being followed by a networking reception.

Visual Defiance: How Independent Cinema Invents its Aesthetics Beyond Borders presented by Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) ⁠panel on May 16, 2025, 15:00 – 16:00, discussion holds significance against the backdrop of a world where political constraints and geographical borders can restrict creativity, independent filmmakers navigate these challenges to innovate. Each filmmaker confronts the impossible by creating films underground, shooting in foreign locations, or rethinking their approach to storytelling. By transforming limitations into sources of inspiration, they reinvent their cinematic language.
This roundtable features four filmmakers whose works emerge from contexts marked by censorship, war, political crisis, or exile. The discussion will explore how aesthetic inventiveness serves as a response to the urgency of filmmaking.

The same day between 16:00 – 16:45 The Creative Lens: GenAI’s Evolving Role in Cinema Across Continents & Festivals at The Village Innovation (Pantiero), where at the unscripted round-table, will see what’s really happening on the ground: How are filmmakers using GenAI without losing their voice? With insights from North America to Europe, we’ll dissect emerging creative practices, the shifting logic of distribution, and the evolving role of festivals in recognising this new wave. Should we be training the industry to stay in control? And how should the industry at large acknowledge this shift?

On May 18, 2025, 11:30 – 12:30 The Audience Isn’t Waiting—Are We Ready to Change? at Main Stage (Riviera) deliberate on as audience habits shift, how should public film agencies respond? This session explores new expectations, bold strategies, and what it will take to remain relevant in the future of cinema. It will feature industry experts, each sharing their perspective on the topic. The session will be followed with the new report The Audience Isn’t Waiting – Are We Ready to Change? being released on the occasion.

What is the Power of Artistic Freedom in the Age of Crisis? on May 21, 2025, 15:00 – 17:00 at Plage des Palmes (Goéland Beach, La Croisette). With everything connected: democratic, technological, and ecological pressures are converging, challenging not only how we create in 2025, but how we organise and respond collectively. This conversation brings together voices from across culture to explore how artists are pushing back, speaking out, and imagining new futures – together.

Besides these among many lined up right through the nine day film festival, the film market sees several country focused sessions as well to understand what is working in that specific nation and how they are driving the film market and production in their country.

Viet Nam – The Dynamic Market in Asia and the New Destination for Global Film Productions presented by Viet Nam Tourism Development Fund, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ⁠Panel on May 14, 2025, 09:30 – 11:30 at the Main Stage (Riviera). The genesis being in recent years, Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s fastest-growing cinema markets, with the box office seeing impressive annual growth in local market. This two-part conference will provide the latest insights into Vietnam’s cinema market, highlight iconic filming locations, and showcase support schemes offered by various provinces keen to welcome international film crews.

A Landscape Overview of the Nigerian Production Ecosystem presented by Screen Nigeria ⁠Panel on May 14, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 at Palais Stage (Palais -1) by Special Assistant to President of Nigeria on Creativity explores the Nigerian film ecosystem, its unique characteristics, and comparative advantages. This presentation will spotlight key government initiatives to reposition the Nigerian Film and Audio-Visual Industries for increased growth and global collaborations.

How to Make Millions with Thailand presented by Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) ⁠Panel on May 14, 2025, 11:30 – 12:30 at Palais Stage (Palais -1), the new content agency launched to spearhead Thailand’s creative industries, will unveil an exciting slate of activities to provide insights into new film incentives and policy, discussion with Thai filmmakers in Cannes, the launch of Bangkok International Film Festival and plenty of reasons to map Thailand as a partner for your next film/tv projects.

Kurdistan will be announcing the launch of Film Commission & Film Fund — The new filming destination and cinematic voices in the MENA Region, by Kurdistan’s Film Commission: Global Opportunities & Authentic Representation ⁠Panel on May 14, 2025, 11:00 – 12:30 at Plage des Palmes (Goéland Beach, La Croisette).

A Better Tomorrow: The Success of Hong Kong & Asian Cinema to the World will be showcased by Hong Kong Film Development Council & Hong Kong Trade Development Council ⁠Panel on May 14, 2025, 14:00 – 15:00 at Palais Stage (Palais -1) together with other booming Asian markets, will explore the bright horizon of Asian Cinema today.

Designated Brazil as – Country of Honour the Audiovisual Ecosystem & the Brazilian Institutions ⁠Panel on May 15, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 will present showcase the country’s ecosystem for entertainment industry at Main Stage (Riviera) as also policies and actions to promote all of the sector’s value chain.

The Brazilian Audiovisual Industry: Dialoguing with Players ⁠Panel May 19, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 at Palais Stage (Palais -1) presents important players in the production, distribution and exhibition market, who will share business models and dialog strategies with international agents.

Brazil is also presenting With Who Can We (co)Produce in Brazil? by a panel on May 18, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 at Palais Stage (Palais -1), wherein important Brazilian associations, representing more than 1000 production companies, from all regions of the country and of different sizes, interested in expanding their connections with the world.

Latin Blood: The Vibrant Rise of Genre Cinema in Latin America presented by Blood Window, Morbido & Fantastic Pavilion ⁠Panel on May 15, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 at Palais Stage (Palais -1) highlights Latin America’s genre cinema’s booming industry —mixing local myths, raw social themes, and bold style will see filmmakers reveal how they reinvent global tropes with a Latin edge, plus exclusive clips from upcoming films.

The Arab Cinema Centre presents Egypt: Arab World’s Blockbuster Nation at 11:30 – 12:30 on the Main Stage (Riviera) where Egyptian cinema basking in new Golden Age with its commercial films breaking box office records; independent films are winning festival accolades and breaking new barriers. This panel explores the reasons behind this upswing and the opportunities being created for production facilities and a new generation of private equity investors. Can this resurgence be sustained ?

The Arab Cinema Centre is also presenting another session on Palestinian Cinema Under the Spotlight at 10:00 – 11:00 on Main Stage (Riviera) in collaboration with Palestine Film Institute. Palestinian cinema has been in existence since at least1935 – a long history intertwined with Palestine’s own struggles over identity and borders. So often it has been the mirror through which the world sees Palestine. But can cinema really make a difference in global understanding ? And what are the marketing strategies for films made at a time of such polarizing opinions ?

Arab Cinema Centre panel moderating a discussion on Equity Financing: Pioneering New Financing Avenues for Arab Cinema on May 18, 2025, 14:00 – 15:00 at Main Stage (Riviera), with Arab content creation blossoming into a multi-billion-dollar business, but film financing is still in its infancy, largely missing have been equity investors. This panel looks at where this private money is coming from and how it will work alongside film funds.

Ireland: A Creative Powerhouse for Production presented by Screen Ireland ⁠Panel on May 16, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 at Palais Stage (Palais -1) sees Irish screen industry and Irish stories experiencing a wave of growth and success in recent years presents Ireland’s position as global production hub, and why the country is fast becoming a creative powerhouse to be reckoned with.

The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) is presenting Visual Defiance: How Independent Cinema Invents its Aesthetics Beyond Borders on May 16, 2025, 15:00 – 16:00 at The Viewpoint (Lérins). In a world where political constraints and geographical borders can restrict creativity, independent filmmakers navigate these challenges to innovate. Each filmmaker confronts the impossible by creating films underground, shooting in foreign locations, or rethinking their approach to storytelling. By transforming limitations into sources of inspiration, they reinvent their cinematic language. The roundtable features four filmmakers whose works emerge from contexts marked by censorship, war, political crisis, or exile. The discussion exploring how aesthetic inventiveness serves as a response to the urgency of filmmaking.

Indeed, besides the bountiful bouquet of cinemas to catch and cherish, Cannes is also provided ample gorgeous gourmet a la carte food of choice for those interested looking beyond cinemas and movie watching to learn about the status of the industry today, and explore and experience what to expect tomorrow and the times to come and where are the film making nations headed and the industry per se itself across a stream of verticals and thematic concerns that impact it in the days to come.

S VISWANATH is a veteran film critic who officiates as JURY at several National & International Film Festivals. He deputises as CHIEF CINEMA CURATOR/PROGRAMMER & CREATIVE ADVISOR for Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes). He also curates & advises on the selection of shorts & documentaries for Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF). Mr Viswanath is the author of “RANDOM REFLECTIONS: A Kaleidoscopic Musings on Kannada Cinema”.