Use code DICRIDERSFAITH for 50% off Submissions in the final hours!

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Statement

As announced weeks ago in response to the Coronavirus and the Cannes Film Festival's decision to postpone their festivities, Diversity in Cannes also decided to reschedule Diversity Day programming for a later date, as the safety and well being of our filmmakers is of utmost importance. We are following the advice of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), by staying home and doing what we can to help flatten the curve.

Simultaneously, as a woman of faith, I'm believing God for supernatural healing and full restoration of our emotional, financial and physical health. While, I don't know the exact hour or day, I'm claiming the victory over the Coronavirus and believing we will safely convene on the Croisette in Cannes in the not so distant future.
Praying for peace and protection!

Yolonda Brinkley
Diversity in Cannes

WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS!!!

Created to encourage content creators from unique backgrounds to share their stories during the Cannes Film Festival, the independent Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase will promote the work of diverse (thought, race, gender, age, religion, physical ability and sexual orientation) filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film.

The top 10 to 18 films & web series from ALL eligible entries as determined by Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes and its partners will be ANNOUNCED LIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA during the official selection press conference the week of April 13, 2020.

These films will be considered in competition (official selections) and screened during the Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Webseries Showcase in May 2020 at an independent event during the Cannes Film Festival.

Showcase winners will be determined by jury and announced at an awards reception immediately following the Showcase.

While the events take place in France at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase is an INDEPENDENT EVENT!!!

Awards & Prizes

Prizes for General Showcase Winners are meant to promote filmmakers, expand their network, assist with career advancement and to prepare for future projects.

2019 Prizes (1 Winner)

* 2020 prizes subject to change*

* Mentorship meeting with Elon Johnson, Head of Developement,Tyler Perry
Studios (in person/phone/video conference)

* Mentorship meeting with 2015 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase Winner Pete
Chatmon (Director" Black-ish", "Grown-ish", "GreenLeaf", "Insecure", "The Last OG",
"Grey's Anatomy", "American Ko-Ko").

* Agent meeting with Tracy Christian of TCA Agency.

* Agent meeting with Claire Best of Claire Best and Associates.

* Free enrollment in CCR Storyhouse online classes in Directing, Writing, and Industry
Navigation.

* Shadow day with Director Crystle Roberson during television or film
production (Date, Location, Project TBD)

* Legal consultation/contract review with entertainment attorney Nathan Hale Williams

* Complimentary submission to the Oscar qualifying Cleveland International Film
Festival

* Complimentary submission to the UK’s TriForce Short Film Festival.

* Complimentary Submission to the 2020 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase

* Complimentary consultation including character and theme development on your
next film project with PsychMinded Media.

* One hour festival, PR or social media strategy consultation with entertainment
publicist.

* List of global film initiatives

* Link to winning film or trailer on the Diversity in Cannes website,
Facebook, Youtube and Twitter Pages (as appropriate).

* Guest on Diversity in Cannes’ Twitter Trailer Tuesday where we’ll share your films
trailer and discuss your current and future projects.

* Global exposure via press release announcing winners of the Diversity in Cannes
Short Film & Webseries Showcase.

* Film screened at the Diversity in Cannes Pre-Cannes Film Festival
Information Session and US Screening Series Q1 2020 in the US (Los Angeles, New
York or Atlanta).

* Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Webseries Showcase certificate.

Rules & Terms

WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS!!!!
Submission Guidelines

ALL PROJECTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PRIMARY CATEGORIES:

WEBSERIES
NARRATIVE SHORT
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
MUSIC VIDEO

ALL "BEST" CATEGORIES (BEST ACTRESS, ACTOR, ETC) ARE OPTIONAL AND SECONDARY!!!

PROJECTS SUBMITTED WITHOUT A PRIMARY CATEGORY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED WITH NO REFUND!!!!

There is no limit to the number of entries as long as they meet requirements below.

* must be submitted by April 1, 2020 (deadlines subject to change)
* must be the work of a diverse filmmaker or tell a diverse story
* must be under 20 minutes including credits
* must have English subtitles if shot in another language
* must not contain pornography
* must not contain racist, sexist, offensive or defamatory statements intended to harm
* must not cause harm to anyone
* must not be an invasion of privacy
* must have complete rights to film’s content
* must have a copyright owner who is at least 18 years of age
* must be copyright free
* must be original work and not based, in whole or in part on material, fictional or nonfiction, produced or un-produced, published or unpublished, unless such material was originally created and published/produced by the applicant in another medium and not based

Judging to Determine Finalists

All entries received during the open call for entries will be reviewed by the festival administrator for eligibility and compliance with the entry requirements. Following the festival administrator’s review, eligible entries will be made available for judging by a screening committee of Diversity in Cannes diverse partners representing the North America, Asia, Africa, Europe, South America partners. All films are entitled to at least 3 screeners and will be judged on the elements below. Competition films will be selected from all eligible entries. Decision of the screening committee is final!

* Creativity and Originality 

*Direction

* Writing

* Cinematography

* Performances 

* Production Value

*Pacing

* Structure

* Sound Music

* Overall Impression 

Top 10 to 18 films from ALL eligible entries as determined by Diversity in Cannes and its partners will be considered in competition and screened during the Diversity in Cannes Short Film & WebSeries Showcase in May 2020 at an independent event during Diversity Day at the Cannes Film Festival.

Winners will be determined by jury and announced at an awards reception immediately following the Showcase.

By agreeing to showcase your work with Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase, you agree to the following:

* Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase & Awards is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items, including films in any medium, while en-route or in our possession, on or off of festival grounds.

* All fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

* Applicant claims all liability and damages in relation to any screening of applicant's submission to which applicant does not hold complete rights to its content.

* Applicant is responsible for clearing all rights to the content of the film prior to exhibition.

* Applicant grants DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase the right to use excerpts from accepted films including audio, video, names and images to promote the festival.

* The rights-holder allows the DIC Short Film & Webseries Showcase to screen the submitted work, in full, at the 2019 DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase without further communication or approval.

* Applicant permits the DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase to retain one or more copies of applicant's film for use in the Showcase archives.

* Applicant permits the DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase to create digital copies of applicants film for use by Showcase staff & associates to facilitate the pre-screening process.

** While Showcase attendance is not required, when determining the 2019 official selections, .5 points will be deducted from the final total score of filmmakers not attending the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase **

** While we screen all films submitted for consideration, 1 point will be deducted from films over 20 minutes when determining the 2019 official selections**

22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ingela Ogard Renee Faia

    I have nothing but positive things to say about this festival, which I attended with our short film Beautiful Dead Things in 2017.
    Diversity in Cannes is an independent showcase, that runs simultaneously with the legendary Cannes Film Festival.
    It was such a fun event, well run, with a slew of great short films in the competition.
    To be in Cannes during the Cannes Film Festival is also incredibly exciting and inspiring.
    I especially want to give massive kudos to it’s creator, Yolonda Brinkley, who is a force of nature with an incredible passion for making the world a better place through spearheading diversity and inclusion in an industry where diversity is not the norm. Thank you and I hope to be back again!

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words Iggi. It was a pleasure to program Beautiful Dead Things, such a colorful and uniquely themed film. Our team looks forward to your return as you always have a home with us in Cannes!

  • Kia Moses

    The passion and hard work Yolonda pours into increasing diversity in film and during the Cannes Film Festival is just amazing. To have our Jamaican-made short film the winner of the 2019 Showcase meant the world to us! I felt so lifted up and empowered as a first-time, black, Caribbean, woman in film! She is truly opening doors for underrepresented voices and I am so grateful t have been a part of this. Thank you again Diversity In Cannes!

    January 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate the support and look forward to keeping in touch to witness the amazing things you're going to accomplish. If your next project is anything like "Flight", you'll continue to take the global film community by storm!!!!

  • John Anthony Flavin

    Yolonda is an inspiration. Maybe my proudest moment for JUEVES to get into this showcase. So proud and so honored. Thank you for EVERYTHING!!

    June 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate the support and loved your film. Please let’s stay in touch!!

  • Damien Megherbi

    I was lucky to be selected in this festival made with heart, love and cleverness. Yolonda the boss is a great person and here, you have a little showcase, like a treasure.

    June 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your feedback. We look forward to keeping in touch!

  • Kelley Kali

    Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Webseries Showcase was one of the best experiences that I've had this year in festivals. Yolonda Brinkley does such a great job at making us feel welcome, special, and she has greated such great opportunities for us to network among other amazing filmmakers. Most of all, over the years she has built relationships with some of the film industries biggest names, such as Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's JuVee Productions who now is one of the main sponsors of the showcase.

    May 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Kelley Kali for taking time to review our Showcase. We appreciate the feedback and absolutely appreciated your energy. It's infectious.