The Next Step Film Festival venue in Cannes for launching careers.
What happens when movie magic meets the pulse of possibility?
Our festival isn't just about watching films; it's about launching careers.
Picture this: A total of six finalists will enjoy a four-day, all-expenses-paid stay in Cannes. They will be divided into two sessions: the first group of three finalists will attend from May 12th to 15th, with screenings and award ceremony on the 14th, 2027 at the Hilton Hotel Cannes, while the second group will join from May 18th to 21st with screenings and awards ceremony on the 20th, 2027 at the Hotel Martinez Cannes.
Both sessions will take place during the same period as the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival. You’ll be our special guest!
Additionally, with our special three-day Visitor Pass, you’ll gain access to the Marché du Film, where you can freely explore booths and stands from production and distribution companies, TV networks, and other industry players. This is your chance to gather valuable insights and network with key industry figures, seizing golden opportunities that could shape your future.
We're on a quest to uncover the next generation of visionary storytellers.
We're not looking for just good films; we're seeking bold expressions of creativity that push the boundaries of what seems possible. Our mission is to discover creators who harness the power of film to share their unique perspectives and captivate audiences with their fresh, innovative approach. No matter the size of your budget, we believe that true talent shines through. If you can work wonders with limited resources, we know you're ready to tackle the big leagues. We believe that providing the right guidance and mentorship can unleash everyone’s full potential.
Whether you're a filmmaker on the rise or a cinephile looking for the next big thing, the Next Step Film Festival is your ticket to an unforgettable cinematic journey.
Do you have what it takes to be 1 out of 6 finalists?
Picture this: a total of six finalists will enjoy a four-day, all-expenses-paid stay in Cannes. They will be divided into two sessions: the first group of three finalists will attend from May 12th to 15th, 2027 with screenings and award ceremony on the 14th, 2027 at the Hilton Hotel Cannes, while the second group will join from May 18th to 21st, 2027 with screenings and awards ceremony on the 20th, 2027 at the Hotel Martinez Cannes.
Both sessions will take place during the same period as the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival. You’ll be our special guest!
As our guest, you’ll enjoy screenings in top-tier venues, with the screening and awards ceremony taking place in the exclusive Hilton Hotel Cannes or Hotel Martinez, Cannes.
Additionally, with our special three days Visitor Pass, you’ll gain access to the Marché du Film, where you can freely explore booths and stands from production and distribution companies, TV networks, and other industry players. This is your chance to gather valuable insights and network with key industry figures, seizing golden opportunities that could shape your future.
Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or a cinephile seeking the next big thing, the Next Step Film Festival is your ticket to an unforgettable cinematic experience.
We're on a quest to uncover the next generation of visionary storytellers.
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In the past edition of May 2026: A total of six finalists enjoyed a four-day, all-expenses-paid stay in Cannes.
They were divided into two sessions: the first group of three finalists attended from May 13th to 16th, with screenings and award ceremony on the 14th, 2026 at the Hilton Hotel Cannes, while the second group joined from May 19th to 22nd with screenings and awards ceremony on the 21st, 2026 at the Hotel Martinez Cannes
The awarded talented filmmakers had the opportunity to attend the Cannes Film Festival as our special guests for four days. During their stay, with our special three-day Visitor Pass, they gained access to the Marché du Film, where they could freely explore booths and stands from production and distribution companies, TV networks, and other industry players. This was a optimal chance to gather valuable insights and network with key industry figures, seizing golden opportunities that could shape their future.
An unforgettable and unique experience for our talents!
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What a Day! ✨ 🎥 May 14th, 2026
In the stunning Canopy by Hilton in Cannes, we kicked off the 1st Day of Screenings & Awards for the NEXT STEP FILM FESTIVAL – Cannes 2026!
🌍 More than 100 guests from all over the world joined us to watch amazing stories on the big screen and celebrate the brilliant talent of our filmmakers – right in the heart of the global cinema scene.
🌟 SELECTED MOVIES – Group 1 🌟
🎓 Knockoffs - Director: Asaad Abbud
🎓 Family and war - Director: Ryusei Emi
🎓 tAInted love - Director: Lisa M Steadman, Brian Thomas
🎓 The heavens and the stars - Director: Clemence de Angelis
🎓 Quiet loud quiet loud - Director: John Lewis James
🎓 Ex of tomorrow - Director: Nicolas Benoit
🎓 The silence of the world - Directors: Angelo Vapellari, Nicolas Pastergue
🎓 The black smoke of prediction... - Director: Damir Dado Šuša
🎓 Off screen - Director: Jean Paul Plaza
🎓 Dead dreams falling - Director: Craig Murray
🎓 L'ultimo giorno di felicità - Director: Giovanni B. Algieri
🎓 The Fa’a’amu children - Director: Frank Doucet
🎓 Thanks for your service - Director: Jonathan Elia
🎓 Sisters of vengeance - Director: George Montero
🎓 No wind to hold - Director: Mickael Abbate
🎓 A simple love - Director: Meggy Pyaneeandee
🎓 Marguerites rouges - Director: Dora Greco
🎓 Why her - Director: Jonathan Elia
📽️ Interesting project 📽️
📽️ Andromedas (trailer)- Director: Daniel Bautista
🌟 FINALISTS – Group 1 🌟
🏆Shelter - Director: Mila Jeanne Miller
🏆Millennials - Director: Ludovica Lirosi
🏆Mismatched - Director: Cécilia Assael, Quentin Ourry
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✨ What a Day! ✨ 🎥 May 21st, 2026
In the stunning Hotel Martinez in Cannes, we kicked off the 2nd Day of Screenings & Awards for the NEXT STEP FILM FESTIVAL – Cannes 2026!
🌍 More than 130 guests from all over the world joined us to watch amazing stories on the big screen and celebrate the brilliant talent of our filmmakers – right in the heart of the global cinema scene.
🌟 SELECTED MOVIES – Group 2🌟
🎓 Crazy lady - Director: Daria S Rountree
🎓 Ceol - Director: Gary Gill
🎓 Scriptionary - Director: Emile Biegel
🎓 The last ride - Director: Teddy Joseph
🎓 The core - Director: Craig Murray
🎓 Impacted - Director: John Myrick
🎓 Aethrimus - Director: Jaspreet Singh
🎓 Beyoond the pane - Director: Shahab Zargari
🎓 Company - Director: Brian Mortensen
🎓 The bartender: Hail Mary - Director: Dexter Harris
🎓 Boomerman - Director: Thi Ki
🎓 American fabric - Director: Nyla Hazratjee
🎓 Still 48 degrees - Directors: Julie Shin, Bomin Ahn
🎓 Traitor - Director: Lawrence Bucher
🎓 Unnatural intelligence (micro) - Director: Mary Kaye Eisenberg
🎓 Closer - Director: Adam Courtney
🎓 Bubbles - Director: Meri Dishnica
🎓 Kissing strangers - Director: Valeria Sweet
🎓 Greed - Director: Alvaro Pruneda
🎓 One last round - Director: Romain Ozanon
🎓 He/She/Us – Director: Susan Kelejian
🌟 JURY PRIZE 🌟
🎖️Back to normal - Director: Sam Bhat
🌟 FINALISTS – Group 2 🌟
🏆Catch the thief: hearts & diamonds - Director: Howon Jung
🏆 Air de fête - Director: Andrea Floccari
💬 Thank you for sharing your art, passion & energy with us.
We can’t wait to see you again!
The NEXT STEP FILM FESTIVAL Team Special thanks to our special guests @harine_guindam_official and to our media partner @printxl.pl @canopycannes @martinezhotel
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SAM BHAT
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