Cannes 2026 Edition
May 18–20, 2026
Filmmakers’ home in Cannes. From filmmakers for filmmakers.
Maison du Cinéma is not a market, not a pitching forum, and not a red-carpet event.
It is a curated meeting place for filmmakers who believe cinema is still a human art — shaped by authorship, collaboration, and responsibility.
Programme
May 18–20, 2026 | Cannes, France
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Intimate conversations between iconic filmmakers exploring authorship, cinema across borders, and the evolving relationship between art, industry, and technology.
Designed as open exchanges rather than formal panels, these roundtables encourage honest reflection on craft, responsibility, and the future of cinema.
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Exclusive masterclasses and conversations led by legendary directors for selected emerging filmmakers.
These sessions focus on creative process, artistic choices, and long-term authorship — beyond promotion or publicity.
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A curated presentation of eight projects by emerging directors whose work has already been recognized at major international festivals.
Selected projects receive awards and mentorship from established filmmakers, supporting artistic development and long-term creative growth.
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On the final day, May 20, Maison du Cinéma unfolds through shared moments.
A connecting lunch between roundtables, a cocktail following the pitching session, and an evening dinner with the announcement of awarded projects extend the day’s conversations into informal exchange and networking.
Maison du Cinéma brings together some of the most significant living filmmakers of our time.
The mentors invited to the programme include multiple Academy Award and Palme d’Or winners — directors whose work has shaped contemporary cinema through singular voices, long-term artistic commitment, and distinctive cinematic languages.
Rather than representing trends or industries, the mentors are selected for the strength of their authorship, the depth of their filmographies, and their willingness to engage openly with emerging filmmakers.
The full list of mentors will be announced in March 2026.
ParticipantsEach year, Maison du Cinéma invites eight emerging directors to take part in the programme. These participants are selected for the authenticity of their work and the strength of their authorial voice, and are all filmmakers whose previous films have already received recognition at major festivals. During the programme, participants are given exclusive access to conversations with legendary directors, as well as to a curated group of investors, studio executives, and sales agents. On the final day, May 20, they present their new projects and have the opportunity to receive special awards and mentorship from Maison du Cinéma.
The list of selected participants will be announced in April 2026.
In addition to the invited participants, the Directors’ Roundtables and shared lunches, cocktails, and dinners are open to all directors and producers with a film in any of the Cannes official or parallel programmes, as well as to selected filmmakers, investors, and industry executives.
Maison du Cinéma is committed to building a long-term community — one based on trust, dialogue, and shared values — that continues well beyond the festival itself.
Team
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Jure Pavlović
HEAD OF EVENT
Multi-awarded director and producer (his films were shown at 250+ festivals such as Berlinale, etc.; he won the European Film Academy Award in 2015 for the film “Picnic”) with years of experience in the films & events industry.
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Ivan Ožegović
HEAD OF PROGRAMME
Actor and producer with over a decade of experience in cultural event production. As Head of Events at the BOK Festival — one of the largest theatre festivals in Southeast Europe — he has developed and hosted educational and networking programmes featuring renowned guests, from Oscar winners to Europe’s leading theatre directors.
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Sarina Farhadi
HEAD OF PITCHING
Iranian actress and filmmaker based in the USA. She studied Filmmaking at the Pratt Institute in New York. As an actress, she is best known for her portrayal of “Termeh” in in her father’s Oscar-winning drama “A Separation” (2011), for which she received the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin IFF and the FIPRESCI Award at the Palm Springs IFF. She later appeared in the Cannes Grand Prix winner “A Hero” (2021) and in other productions.
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Goran Višnjić
HOST
Acclaimed actor and cinephile, best known for his roles in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “Beginners”, “The Deep End”, and “Welcome to Sarajevo”. He has collaborated with directors such as Ridley Scott, David Fincher, Mike Mills, and Michael Winterbottom, with credits in films recognized by the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and the Cannes FF.
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Marijan Sršen
HEAD OF FINANCE
Experienced financial executive with over 20 years in leadership roles across major Croatian companies. Former CFO at Mlinar and Board Member at Čakovečki mlinovi. He has expertise in finance, accounting, controlling, IT, and business optimization.
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Ognen Antov
HEAD OF PRODUCTION
Macedonian producer and founder of Dream Factory Macedonia. His films include “The Seamstresses” (Best Documentary – Sarajevo FF), “Mission London” (Moscow IFF), and “Vera Dreams of the Sea” (Venice FF). Active in film, TV, and documentary production with extensive international experience.