Happy Thursday, Creative Army!

As many of you know, I like to judge markets and festivals not against each other, but against where they were a year ago. Last year, the prevailing conversation was cautious optimism. The industry was still finding its footing after years of disruption, and many people were wondering what the next chapter would look like.

This year the conversation has changed. The overwhelming feeling throughout Cannes 2026 was momentum. Not blind optimism or wishful thinking. Real momentum.

Everywhere we went, executives, filmmakers, financiers, producers, distributors, film commissioners, and creatives were talking about growth, opportunity, workforce development, international collaboration, and new pathways to getting projects made.

And perhaps most importantly, they were talking globally. As I’ve been preaching for years, the future of this industry is not confined to one city, one country, or one traditional path. The filmmakers and professionals who are thriving are the ones willing to think bigger, build relationships across borders, and embrace the fact that storytelling has become a truly global business.

Celebrating More Than 10 Years as the Education Partner of the Marché du Film

This year marked another incredible milestone for Stage 32 as we proudly continued our role as the official Education Partner of the Marché du Film, a partnership that has now spanned more than a decade.

The awareness of Stage 32 throughout the market has never been stronger.

Whether we were speaking with producers, executives, filmmakers, film commissioners, or emerging creatives, people knew who we were, understood our mission, and were excited about the work we are doing to support creatives all over the world.

Everywhere we turned, we found people eager to learn more about Stage 32 Education, Certification, Community, and the endless opportunities available to connect with real professionals and get your projects made.

Click here to watch a recap of my incredible Cannes experience.

Bringing Industry Education to Cannes

One of the highlights of every Cannes is the opportunity to facilitate conversations that matter. This year was no exception.

Building Collective Power: How Women Across the Industry Shape Influence in Film

Presented in partnership with Yes She Cannes and Entertainment 2 Affect Change, this powerful discussion brought together women who are creating meaningful impact across every corner of the industry.

Moderated by Faith Elizabeth, the panel featured:

• Amanda Toney, Managing Director, Stage 32
• Sara Hamilton, Head of Global Partnerships & Impact Strategy, E2ACxGreenlit
• Guneet Monga Kapoor, CEO & Producer, Sikhya Entertainment
• Maria Hundsnes-Shevtsova, Co-Founder & VP, DISAUTHORITY

The conversation focused on leadership, community building, education, storytelling, and creating pathways for the next generation of filmmakers.

The Industry Reset: How Independent Films Are Getting Made in 2026

One of the most talked-about conversations of the market took place at the FilmUSA Pavilion.

Moderated by Amanda Toney, the panel featured:

• Daniel Bekerman
• Tiffany Boyle
• Tonia Sotiropoulou
• Yours truly

We discussed the realities of today’s independent film market, what’s actually getting financed, what buyers are looking for, how producers are packaging projects, and what opportunities currently exist for filmmakers willing to adapt.

The takeaway was simple:

Independent film is alive and well. The rules have changed, but opportunities continue to emerge for creators who understand the current marketplace.

The Great AI Conversation Moves Forward

One of my personal favorite events of the festival took place aboard an incredible yacht in the Cannes marina. Together with Stage 32, industry leaders gathered for an intimate discussion about AI’s role in entertainment.

The conversation brought together:

• Verena Wieditz, Apple Studios Original Content
• Rajiv Parikh, President, TooFar Media
• Martin Petrov, Festival Director, IFFG
• Myself

What made the discussion so valuable was that it wasn’t driven by fear or hype. It was driven by curiosity.

The industry is moving beyond asking whether AI will impact entertainment and is now asking how we can responsibly integrate emerging technology while protecting creativity, artistry, and human storytelling. The conversation was honest, nuanced, and incredibly encouraging.

Stage 32 Certification Continues Its Global Expansion

One of the most exciting developments this year came through Stage 32 Certification. We hosted a private wine event aboard the Tunnel/New Hollywood Yacht attended by more than 40 film commissioners from around the world.

The event became a celebration of what happens when education, workforce development, and industry partnerships come together.

Representatives from Tampa Bay, Costa Rica, Torino, and Edmonton shared their experiences working with Stage 32 Certification and discussed how these programs are helping strengthen their local production ecosystems. Better yet, they discussed their excitement to keep expanding on these programs this year.

The enthusiasm in the room was undeniable. The number of new conversations, partnerships, and opportunities emerging from Certification continues to exceed our expectations.

And trust me when I say this, there are some very exciting announcements coming throughout the rest of 2026.

Stage 32 and AFCI Announce a Major New Partnership

One of the biggest moments of the festival came when The Hollywood Reporter covered our newly announced partnership with the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI).

This initiative focuses on workforce training, certification, and leadership development programs designed to help film commissions strengthen local production infrastructure and address crew shortages across emerging and competitive markets.

This partnership means a tremendous amount to all of us at Stage 32. Because the future of production doesn’t depend solely on attracting projects. It depends on having trained professionals ready to support those projects when they arrive.

The conversation around production incentives is important. The conversation around workforce development is essential. If regions want production to grow, they must invest in education, training, and certification. That is exactly what this partnership is designed to accomplish.

A huge congratulations goes to Amanda Toney, who spearheaded this initiative and helped bring this vision to life.

Click here to read the full article!

The Black-Tie Villa Party Returns

Every year, we host, with our partners at the International Film Festival Glasgow & WIFTI, an exclusive executive gathering that brings together some of the most influential people in the industry. And every year it somehow gets bigger.

Our Executive Black-Tie Villa Party was once again one of the most talked-about events of the festival.

Executives, educators, producers, filmmakers, investors, distributors, journalists, and decision-makers from some of the largest entertainment companies and publications in the world joined us for an unforgettable evening.

The connections made during events like these often lead to collaborations and opportunities that continue long after Cannes ends.

Gary and RB’s Brown Sugar Returns

And now for my favorite part of Cannes…

Last year, Gary, the owner of the famed Cannes bar Brown Sugar, and I accidentally created something special. This year, we doubled down.

For four full days, Stage 32 officially took over Brown Sugar and transformed the beloved Cannes gastropub into Gary and RB’s Brown Sugar, Stage 32 Pop-Up Bar.

What started as a fun idea last year has grown into something much bigger and more special than we anticipated. Brown Sugar became a home base.

Every night, hundreds of creatives from around the world gathered there to continue conversations, celebrate victories, build relationships, find collaborators, share ideas, and create memories.

It became everything Stage 32 stands for: Community. Connection. Opportunity.

And then came Sunday…

The Annual Stage 32 Cannes Meetup

On Sunday evening, more than 500 Stage 32 members, educators, executives, and industry professionals filled the street outside Brown Sugar for our annual Cannes Meetup.

Those who have attended Cannes over the years know that this gathering has become one of the festival’s most anticipated traditions. Seeing hundreds of members from around the world standing together, celebrating one another’s successes and sharing their dreams for the future, never gets old.

We toasted with champagne served in custom cups featuring my face, which was both hilarious and slightly terrifying.

Gary and I shared the story of how Brown Sugar became part of the Stage 32 legacy.

We tossed Stage 32 shirts into the crowd. People jumped to catch them, and some even put them on over their clothes.

The energy was incredible.

And for a few hours, a street in Cannes felt like the center of the global creative community. It’s a memory I’ll carry with me for a very long time.

Thank You to Our Cannes Team

None of this happens without an extraordinary team.

I want to personally thank Amanda Toney, our Managing Director, Ashley Smith, our Head of Community, Sara Elizabeth Timmins, our Education Producer, and David Zannoni, our International Certification Liaison

Each of them played a tremendous role in making this year’s Cannes activities a success. Their hard work, professionalism, creativity, and commitment to this community continue to inspire.

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on Cannes 2026, one message stands above all others: the industry is moving and evolving.

And the opportunities are everywhere for those willing to embrace change and think globally.

Yes, challenges remain, and they always will. But if you spent a week walking the Croisette, attending meetings, listening to conversations, and talking to the people actively building the future of this business, you would leave with the same conclusion I did:

The future of entertainment is bright.

The future is collaborative.

The future is global.

And if you’re willing to keep learning, keep connecting, and keep showing up, there has never been a better time to be a creative.

Cheers,

RB

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