The 2026 American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase (presented by Gold House 2024 & 2025) will be the eighteenth juried competition for The American Pavilion. Since 1989, The American Pavilion has offered unparalleled experiences in Cannes to film students and emerging filmmakers from around the world. The Emerging Filmmaker Showcase provides an opportunity for filmmakers to have their works seen by Cannes Festival and Film Market attendees.
We accept short films and documentaries that are 25 minutes or less. 25 to 30 short films and documentaries from around the world are chosen for competition. A panel of industry judges selects winners in each category (Gold House Cultural Impact Award, Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, Emerging Student Showcase, and LGBTQ+ Emerging & Student Showcase). The official selections will be screened in a final competition in May at The American Pavilion during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Awards are given in Narrative, Documentary, and LGBTQ+ categories.
Certificate and prizes from various prize award sponsors. We have six jury award categories:
- Gold House Cultural Impact Award
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Short Film
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Short Documentary
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Student Short Film
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Student Short Documentary
- Best Emerging Filmmaker or Student LGBTQ+ Short Film or Short Documentary