The 2020 American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase will be the twelfth Juried competition held in The American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival. The competition will provide an opportunity for filmmakers to connect with the Cannes Film Festival and Marketplace attendees. Prizes will be awarded to the winning filmmakers. We accept short films and documentaries that are 25 minutes or less. Since 1989, The American Pavilion has offered opportunities in Cannes to film students and emerging filmmakers from around the world, including screenings and showcases for emerging filmmakers in attendance.

Awards & Prizes

Certificate and prizes from various prize award sponsors. One winning competition film will have an opportunity to have their short film broadcast and featured in the KCET Fine Cut Series. We have five 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

Rules & Terms

1. Films accepted for the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes will be projected via a digital link off an external hard-drive at the American Pavilion.
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 at Cannes.
4. The American Pavilion retains submissions in its film library. 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. Make sure you include your film synopsis and indicate your film school if your film is a student film.
6. Participation in the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes implies understanding and acceptance of all terms included in this application.
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 2020, 2019 and 2018.
5 Reviews
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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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  • Jennifer 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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  • Linda Palmer

    One of the best festival experiences I've had! How can it not be...it's in Cannes! Aside from that, the festival director, Monika, and her team, really do a lot to help attendees feel comfortable traveling and staying in France. The networking opportunities are off the charts! This is a must attend event even if you're not in Cannes. Just joining the American Pavilion, coming to conferences, the film market and more is worth the experience. The fact that they have their own film festival at AMPAV is incredible! So glad "Our Father" was a part of this terrific festival!

    June 2016
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