The Cannes Film Festival in France is coming up in a few weeks!

As you all know, Stage 32 has worked directly with and has had an official presence at the Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film for over a decade. From education initiatives, partnerships, and parties, Stage 32 always has its finger on the pulse of the world's biggest film festival and market.

Also, for the last 11 years, Stage 32 has been an official education partner of the Cannes Marché du Film. In addition to our official partnership, we have plenty more in store.

We're excited today to announce our Official Stage 32 Cannes 2025 Schedule...

If you are attending Cannes:

In the comments section below, let's start the official ROLL CALL. We (and the producers and executives we work with, who will be at the fest) are specifically interested in knowing:

• What dates will you be attending?
• What brings you to Cannes?
• What projects do you have screening or are you bringing to the market?
• Are you planning on attending any workshops or events? If so, which ones?
• What are your goals during the Cannes Film Festival?
• Do you have a film screening at the festival? Let us know in the comments section below!
• And don't forget, if you are attending, we hosted a free, exclusive webinar with the head executives of the Marche on how to navigate the festival/market, which is now available on-demand here.

If you are NOT attending Cannes (and, if you WILL be attending):

Stop what you're doing right now, pick up your phone, and go follow @rbwalksintoabar and @stage32 on Instagram and @rbwalksintoabar and @stage32 on X. We will be LIVE storying and tweeting during the entire festival. We're thrilled to bring you to the film industry's largest festival in the world!

We look forward to hearing from you!

RB

THE OFFICIAL STAGE 32 SCHEDULE

And, in true Stage 32 style, we’ll be taking the Croisette by storm with an action-packed lineup of events and partnerships at the festival, including:

Stage 32 + the Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film Official Education Partnership

For nearly a decade, Stage 32 has been a proud education partner of the Marché du Film. Anyone who purchases a Marche du Film badge will get a free Stage 32 webinar with their badge purchase. If you are planning on attending Cannes, be sure to watch our exclusive webinar with Guillaume Esmiol, the Executive Director of the Cannes Film Festival Marche du Film + Stage 32’s Managing Director, Amanda Toney, here - it is FREE to watch.

Stage 32 Cannes Film Festival Panels at the Film USA Pavilion

Wednesday, May 14th- 2:30 pm

From Local Crews to Global Screens: Navigating the Filmmaking Boom

Filmmaking has exploded outside of Hollywood with opportunities all over the United States and around the world, driven by untapped talent pools and a surge of tax incentives. Join Stage 32 for an exciting panel featuring industry experts who are riding the wave of this global expansion. Discover how filmmakers are leveraging international and regional incentives to bring their projects to life in unexpected places, while building skilled local crews and uncovering fresh, undiscovered talent. Whether you’re aiming for a local gem or a global hit, this panel will show you how to turn opportunity into cinematic success.

Moderator: Martin Petrov - Festival Director, IFFG

Panelists:

• Katie Pryor - Co-Founder, FilmUSA
• Lauren Simpson - Women in Film and Television International Board of Directors, President of Women in Film & Television Victoria
• Krassimira Belev - Producer, First Draft Productions
• Richard Botto - CEO, Stage 32

Those who attend the panel will be invited to attend a networking cocktail event after the panel.

To RSVP: Click Here

Thursday, May 15th- 8:00 pm

Stage 32 is a Proud Partner of the Cannes Pajama Party

Vogue Magazine’s #1 rated party at Cannes - The Cannes Pajama Party kicks off on May 15th at the beautiful Villa Aloha!

A soiree where the champagne never runs out, you can be photographed by Getty on the red carpet, and then enjoy a fantastic evening drinking cocktails in the garden with other film industry professionals!

Tickets are completely free, but you do need to enter the ticket lottery in order to be one of the lucky ones selected. Also, the rules are that you can only gain entrance to the party if you’re wearing long pajamas or a onesie – no exceptions!

Enter the PJ Party Ticket Lottery here!

Friday, May 16th- 2:30 pm

Rebuilding the Pipeline: How Producers & Filmmakers Can Get Greenlit in Today’s Landscape

The entertainment industry has weathered a wild ride—from the Great Content Gold Rush, where streamers churned out unprecedented volumes of film and TV with lucrative talent deals, to the seismic shifts caused by the 2023 strikes that stalled production pipelines and reshaped deal structures. Now, as the dust settles, what’s next? Join Stage 32 for an essential panel featuring top experts who will break down the current state of the industry. Discover what projects are getting greenlit in this “new normal,” how independent creators can compete with talent offers, and the best strategies for collaborating with guilds to keep your production moving. Packed with insider insights and practical advice, this panel will empower you to rebuild, adapt, and thrive in today’s evolving filmmaking landscape.

Moderator: Sara Elizabeth Timmins, Stage 32 Education Producer

Panelists:

• Michael Maizner, Founder and Managing Partner at Maizner & Associates, PLLC
• Jackie Ward, Senior Associate, Ramo Law
• Jack Sheehan, President, Archstone Entertainment
• Darrien Gipson, Executive Director, SAG-Indie

Those who attend the panel will be invited to attend a networking cocktail event after the panel.

Open to Stage 32 members with Cannes Marché du Film credentials.

To RSVP: Click Here

Saturday, May 17th- 2:30 pm

The Art of the Deal: Innovative Financing for Indie Filmmakers

Independent filmmaking is thriving, fueled by a wave of creative financing solutions that empower storytellers to bring their visions to life. Join Stage 32 for an insightful panel featuring seasoned experts who have collectively worked on hundreds of films. This discussion will dive into the nuts and bolts of innovative funding strategies—private equity, international tax incentives, grants, and collaborative partnerships—revealing how to maximize resources for your indie project. Learn proven tactics to secure backing, navigate complex financial landscapes, and turn your script into a finished film. Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned pro, this panel will equip you with the tools to master the art of the deal and get your story on screen.

Moderator: David Zannoni, International Consultant, Stage 32

Panelists:

• Grady Craig - Senior Vice President, Bondit Media Capital
• Tiffany Boyle - President, Ramo Law, Producer, Vested
• Viviana Zarragoitia - Senior Vice President, TPC

Those who attend the panel will be invited to attend a networking cocktail event after the panel.

Open to Stage 32 members with Cannes Marché du Film credentials.

To RSVP: Click Here

Sunday, May 18th- 6:00 pm

Stage 32 + The American Pavilion Partner for the Annual Stage 32 Networking Party!

Those who have attended Cannes over the last decade know that the Stage 32 Cannes Meetup/Party has been one of the most anticipated and fun events of the entire fest. It's a great event where networking connections happen and true collaborations are born.

This year, we're thrilled to announce another partnership and venue. Stage 32 is partnering with the American Pavilion. As a result, our 2025 Cannes Stage 32 Meetup will be held at the historic American Pavilion venue on the banks of the French Riviera.

The party will be the official Sunday night programming event for Am Pav. We couldn't be more proud to have them as a partner. Come join Stage 32 Founder & CEO, Richard "RB" Botto, and Stage 32 Managing Director, Amanda Toney.

We hope you will join us!

Date: Sunday May 18, 2022

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: American Pavilion, 129, Village International Riviera,
Palais des Festivals

Open to Stage 32 members with Cannes Marché du Film credentials.

To RSVP: Click Here

Monday, May 19th- 2:30 pm

The Great AI Debate - How AI is Impacting Our Industry

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the film and television landscape at lightning speed, sparking both excitement and unease among creators. From scriptwriting tools and visual effects to automated editing and immersive storytelling, AI is reshaping how stories are told and produced. But what does this mean for the future of filmmaking? Join Stage 32 for an innovative panel featuring industry experts as they dive into the heart of the AI revolution. This discussion will explore how AI is opening new creative doors, challenging traditional workflows, and raising critical questions about ethics, jobs, and artistic innovation. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or skeptic, this panel will unpack the opportunities, pitfalls, and everything in between—equipping you with insights to navigate this brave new world of storytelling.

Moderator: Amanda Toney, Managing Director, Stage 32

Panelists:

• Richard Botto - CEO, Stage 32
• Sami Arpa - CEO, Largo.AI
• Alan Pao - President, Tunnel
• Sam Pressman - CEO, Pressman Film

Those who attend the panel will be invited to attend a networking cocktail event after the panel.

Open to Stage 32 members with Cannes Marché du Film credentials.

To RSVP: Click Here

About Our Partners:

The Cannes Film Festival can be overwhelming when you plan to attend for the first time. Over 15,000 film industry professionals head to Cannes each year to present and discover almost 4,000 films and projects in development at 31 screening venues.

Fueled by this success, the Marché has expanded with the opening of the Riviera and Lérins exhibition halls, forming a hub around the world-famous Palais des Festivals and the Village International, the number one venue for promoting films from all over the world. As a leading global film industry organization, the Marché du Film takes a rigorous approach in adapting to the expectations of industry professionals worldwide and to emerging economic, technological, and creative film trends.

ALLIANCE OF USA FILM COMMISSIONERS

Our mission is to maximize the economic benefits of the film industry in the USA by streamlining connections and information. Film USA is a national, non-profit trade organization of state and regional film commissions from across the USA under one umbrella to enhance the global competitiveness of the US film and TV industry, expand industry access, support global film partnerships, and promote domestic production. Film USA utilizes our member network of film commissioners to foster new business relationships, market our industry globally, and expand the worldwide presence of the US film and TV industry, thereby creating US employment and economic growth.

STAGE 32 IS A PROUD PARTNER OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS CANNES PAJAMA PARTY!

Seasoned filmmakers Maxim Jago and Dave DeBorde had been attending the Cannes Film Festival for years.
Then one fateful festival afternoon… Maxim and Dave immediately recognized the potential of pajamas! They envisioned an environment where their mentees and students could rub elbows with the elite of international filmmaking, because everybody can be somebody in long pajamas!

Over the last six years, the fête has grown from a penthouse flat to a sea view villa, and Maxim and Dave found their calling, creating an environment to nurture connections between industry veterans and emerging talents in a fun and relaxed environment. There is only one rule to enter their party...

YOU MUST WEAR LONG PAJAMAS!

Connect. Collaborate. Create. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to become part of a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating American cinema and fostering global connections. Join the American Pavilion today and immerse yourself in the magic of Cannes like never before. Get your official American Pavilion Badges by clicking here!

WOFF: World of Film International Festival

WOFF is Glasgow's annual independent film event held in October and currently in its ninth edition. Our main focus is to promote independent international cinema and new talent from Scotland, the UK, and beyond. Our aim is to bring local and Scottish audiences together with filmmakers, producers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from all around the world, in an attempt to discover new talent, showcase their work, and generate ideas for future projects. WoFF is a non-profit organisation bringing audiences a step closer to international independent cinema and giving voice to young artists. In 2024, the WoFF aspires to bring more audiences, filmmakers, and industry professionals together, creating a platform to exchange ideas, showcase their work, and most importantly talk on film and new trends in the industry, women filmmakers of today, and independent film production in Europe, the, US and beyond.

www.woffglasgow.com / Submissions: https://filmfreeway.com/WorldofFilmFestivalGlasgow

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