The 2021 American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase will be the thirteenth 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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Finalist Films will screen during the 2021 Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, and we will virtually showcase each film category from October to January leading up to the 2021 official selection showcase.

In addition, starting in January 2021, there will be a monthly online showcase (January, February & March) of up to four films (one from each category) selected from the 2021 submissions. We will spotlight these as early acceptance films into the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase. Submit your film early!

We accept short films and documentaries that are 25 minutes or less. 25 to 35 short films and documentaries from around the world are chosen for competition. A panel of industry judges selects winners in each category (Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, Emerging Student Showcase, LGBTQ Showcase and High School Films Showcase). For the 2020-2021 season, the official selections will be screened in a final competition in July, with online and in-person events if possible. Awards are given in Narrative, Documentary, High School and LGBTQ categories.

Awards & Prizes

Certificate and prizes from various prize award sponsors. We have six jury award categories:
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Short Film
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Short Documentary
- Best Emerging Filmmaker LGBTQ Short Film or Short Documentary
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Student Short Film
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Student Short Documentary
- Best Emerging Filmmaker High School Film

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 and High School Films or 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 2021, 2020 and 2019.
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. Participation in the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase implies understanding and acceptance of all terms included in this application.
6 Reviews
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  • Thiago Dadalt

    Amazing Festival! Monica is the best person, very welcoming and made our trip to Cannes a dream come true. Thank you, Monica and team. Can't wait to come back.

    July 2019
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  • WOW FILMS

    I cannot say enough about the amazing experience of screening in the elite Emerging Filmmakers Showcase at the American Pavilion! Monika, her staff and entire team of volunteers were incredibly helpful, friendly and welcoming as we arrived at the Cannes Film Festival. She have us a tour of the festival grounds which helped us learn how to navigate such a largely attended festival. The American Pavilion is beautifully located right on the beach within very close proximity to the Lumiere Theatre, Cannes Film Market etc. There were wonderful seminars hosted by the American Pavilion and great food and drinks available. If that wasn’t great enough, we met fantastic fellow filmmakers, saw top quality films and received an invitation to walked the famous Lumiere red carpet and steps to a gala screening. Submit to this festival! You don’t want to pass up this opportunity. Cannes awaits!

    June 2019
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  • Annabelle Frost

    I had a wonderful experience screening at The American Pavilion in their Emerging Filmmakers Program. The screening room is on the small side and your films are screened on TVs because your are screening inside the American Pavilion tent. However, the exposure is great and the access to Cannes and its market is fantastic. Monika was a terrific liaison who took great care of the filmmakers. Well worth participating in!

    May 2018
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  • Michael Raso

    I would any encourage any film maker to make their very next submission to the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase! It was absolutely amazing, and all of its organisers were truly wonderful putting together such a fantastic event at the Cannes Film Festival! What could be better! Its Director, Monika is a very lovely lady who's had a tremendous career in the industry, and does a marvellous job in supporting new, old and upcoming filmmakers. Apart from having your film screened, there's tremendous opportunity to meet, and make new industry contacts from around the world, and of course see many new films in style! The Showcase receives my highest recommendation!

    June 2017
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  • Jenn Shaw

    This festival was amazing, professional, and a career booster that I will always cherish as a director. Monika is wonderful and the filmmaker peers that I met were the future of this industry. Highly Recommend.

    June 2017
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