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.

Awards & Prizes

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

Rules & Terms

1. Films accepted for the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase will be projected via a digital link or off an external hard-drive.
2. Non-English language films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
3. The number of screenings, date, time and location of the screenings of the film are at the discretion of the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase.
4. If you wish your exhibition hard-drive or thumb drive returned, you must send a self-addressed stamped envelope.
5. The American Pavilion reserves the right to complete any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever source available and will not be responsible if incorrect information is entered.
6. Make sure you include your film synopsis.
7. Attach a photocopy of Student Identification for Student Films and make sure your film school is noted in the cover letter or one of the sections.
8. We accept films that are 25 minutes or less.
9. Copyright 2026, 2025 and 2024.
10. Submission fees are non-refundable.
11. Entrant(s) confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Showcase and to use all music, images and content in the entry.
12. Filmmaker(s) accepts responsibility for obtaining any and all clearances necessary to exhibit your film at The American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase in-person or online; (II) warrant that you have the rights necessary to exhibit your film at The American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase in-person or online; (III) indemnify and hold harmless The American Pavilion, all sponsors, affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, staff, volunteers, and representatives against any claim, including attorney's fees, arising out of exhibition, or non-exhibition of your film at The American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, and (IV) you warrant the submission of your original work and warrant that there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission in question.
13. The American Pavilion provides
 one general Festival Accreditation 
badge per film that will allow access
 to the Cannes Film Festival 
competition films and International Pavilions. 
This is a professional film Industry event that is 
not open to the public so you cannot purchase 
tickets to individual screenings for family or 
friends. All additional team attendees must secure Cannes 
Film Festival accreditation in advance. Participants attending the Cannes Film Festival must be 18-years-old.
14. Participation in the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase implies understanding and acceptance of all terms included in this application.
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sydne Horton

    I am still beaming over the experience my SATURDAY RITUAL team and I had with the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase! Monika took care of us filmmakers every step of the way from top notch hospitality and communication to building an exceptional showcase of films and panels. There were also ample networking opportunities and there was a great sense of an artist forward community. This really was a festival dream come true and I'll be cherishing it for years to come!

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Beck Williams

    What an incredible experience! Thank you so much to Monika and the whole team for a truly unforgettable and special time in Cannes. Being part of this showcase and invited to screen our film at Cannes has been a dream come true. I was floored by the selection of films in this showcase, and it was an honor to be among them. I don't think it quite hit me the extent of how significant this all was until I was there. Along with the showcase comes accreditation and a badge for both the whole festival and access to the American Pavilion which easily became a favorite hub during the week – right on the beach, it was stunning. It's hard to sum up into words, but being part of Cannes, meeting so many awesome and kind people, going to great panels at AmPav, everything was magical. I felt truly at home, cared for, and part of something wonderful. Thanks again, Monika and team – your passion and championing us filmmakers means a lot.

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Yoo Lee

    Monika is perhaps the hardest-working festival organizer out there. She and everyone at American Pavilion, including the volunteers, know how to organize a truly remarkable festival. If you are lucky enough to get in, you must go. There is magic in the air, and what you see, what you get to witness, what you get to be part of, will elevate you forever. I am still process everything long after I came back. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life!

    June 2024
    Helpful
  • Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal

    What a wonderful experience it was to screen our film BACKLOG in the Student Section of the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase.

    From acceptance (a personal phone call) to our screening, it felt like Monika, Karen and everyone at the festival worked so hard to give us the most rewarding and personal experiences. And they did. They made sure to clearly communicate everything for us, especially for those on my team who do not speak French, facilitated us securing our guests' day pass badges, and advised us on how to have the best festival experience!

    The panels were incredible, hosted by huge industry mogul conglomerates, as they are co-owned by some of the biggest publications.

    This festival opened so many doors and opportunities to us while we were at Cannes. Not only were we able to hear the SAG Indie talks that Am Pavilion sponsors with huge filmmakers, but their big panel events, their screenings, Queer Night - which was one of the best parties we attended full of glitter and glam and fantastic music!

    Our screening was photographed by talented photographer John Bernstein - and are some of our favorite photos from the event.

    We were even able to walk the red carpet at the Grand Lumiere theatre six times! It was an unforgettable time and I highly encourage filmmakers to stay for as long as you can - to maximize time at the Marche du Film and befriend Producer's Network Badge attendees, as they invited our BACKLOG team to their parties that they didn't have time to attend and even helped us get into the Campari Lounge, where I got hired to direct a feature film next year. These things really do happen in Cannes, and the American Pavilion was one of our favorite place to meet people.

    Thank you for including us - we can't wait to come back in future years.

    July 2023
    Helpful
  • Andrew Kish-Vallentine

    The entire event is a delight, from start to finish. The American Pavilion team made sure everyone felt welcome, and comfortable, no matter where we traveled from. The film selection was great, with plenty of excitement throughout the event. Special thanks is due for Monica, who is a stellar organizer, and was fantastic at delivering any needed details

    June 2023
    Helpful