The 2023 American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase will be the fifteenth 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 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, High School Film Showcase, and LGBTQ+ Emerging & Student Showcase). The official selections will be screened in a final competition in May at The American Pavilion during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. 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 Student Short Film
- Best Emerging Filmmaker Student Short Documentary
- Best Emerging filmmaker High School Film
- Best Emerging Filmmaker 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 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 2023, 2022 and 2021.
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.
9 Reviews
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  • Ria Pavia

    Traveling overseas for a festival can be daunting, but The American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes ended up feeling like a warm hug. Monika Skerbelis provided excellent communication beforehand as to what to expect, which made the pilgrimage a breeze. Our team was both blown away and inspired by the groundbreaking and inspiring cadre of films. Diverse & unique. Boundless talent & rich subject matter. Films that have stayed with us in the weeks to come; engaging us in deep conversations. Attendees comfortably connected in the welcoming venue. We met some stellar creative humans and all made promises to return in the future. And return we shall!

    June 2022
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  • Amanda Renee Knox

    This is a wonderful opportunity for emerging filmmakers to experience Cannes! Monika and her team do an outstanding job at coordinating screenings, events and receptions. Highly recommend submitting and attending if you are selected, you won’t regret it!

    June 2022
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  • Sheri Sussman

    It was such an honor and I am so proud to have had our film be included in the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmakers Showcase. It was such an amazing event and memorable week in Cannes. Monika and the whole team are so gracious and kind to all the filmmakers and made it such a great easy experience. It was such a rare opportunity to screen our film in Cannes at the Pavilion and meet such talented filmmakers. It was Just an incredible experience and festival and everyone took such good care of us and our films!

    June 2022
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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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