Aspiring filmmakers and students can aim for Cannes this year through a joint program from IndieWire and The American Pavilion. The two opportunities are open for applications until February 25 and are designed to place young talent at the center of the festival experience.
IndieWire and AmPav offer a Cannes Intensive for insiders’ access—screenings, festival panels, roundtables, and structured networking with industry leaders and filmmakers behind the scenes.
The Cannes Student Program provides four hours of daily internship work with a company operating at the festival, spanning fields like film, media, business, hospitality, PR, and journalism.
What’s included and who can apply
The programs bundle an industry festival badge, housing arrangements, airport transfer to Nice, and AmPav membership that unlocks participation in AmPav/IndieWire programming plus student-only events. As the festival’s only officially sanctioned student program, it’s a gateway to meeting peers from around the world against the scenic Riviera in spring.
The Cannes Student Program runs May 10–24, 2026, while the Cannes Intensive takes place May 17–24, 2026. The extended deadline for both is February 25. Applications can be submitted here: Cannes 2026 application.
Filmmakers can also submit shorts to the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase via FilmFreeway through February 21: FilmFreeway entry.
IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking program extends beyond Cannes, with intensives also offered at SXSW, SXSW London, and the Venice festival. Details are available on the AmPav site.
Related links include pages on the American Pavilion, Cannes, and IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking hub for more context.
Source: Original article
