💸 2nd Edition of Cannes Investors Circle to Showcase Exclusive Film Projects From Award-Winning Directors at the 2024 Marché du Film
Cannes Investors Circle, the Marché du Film’s exclusive gathering of top film financing experts and investors, returns for its second edition. This year, it will showcase ten cutting-edge films – in various stages of development and never before unveiled – to a select group of VIP private investors during this year’s 77th Festival de Cannes.
With budgets ranging between a million and over 20 million euros, these projects represent the pinnacle of artistic and financial ambition. This carefully curated selection will feature projects presented by the lead producers and internationally renowned directors, many of whom boast strong ties to Cannes.
Among the illustrious lineup is acclaimed award-winning Swedish director Ruben Östlund. Known for his Palme d’Or-winning masterpieces The Square and Triangle of Sadness (also nominated for three Oscars), Östlund will personally unveil his latest film endeavor at this year’s market.
Chie Hayakawa, whose feature film debut Plan 75 originally began as the short film opening of the 2018 anthology feature Ten Years Japan, earned recognition with the Camera d’Or Special Mention at the 2022 Festival de Cannes. Now, she’s set to reveal her newest project.
Following the success of his second feature, Vivarium, which premiered at the 2019 Semaine de la Critique, Irish director Lorcan Finnegan will present his fourth film, The Surfer, in the Festival de Cannes’ 2024 Official Selection, while also revealing his next film project at the Investors Circle event.
Other Cannes alums presenting their next projects include Israeli writer/director Nadav Lapid, celebrated for his accolades at prestigious festivals, including the Berlinale’s Golden Bear for Synonyms (2019) and the Festival de Cannes’ Jury Prize for Ahed’s Knee (2021). Italian filmmaker Laura Samani, is also part of the lineup, building on the acclaim of her debut Small Body, which premiered at the 2021 Semaine de la Critique, and her second feature which was presented at La Résidence of the Festival de Cannes.
Joining these esteemed directors are five other visionary filmmakers, each ready to pitch their latest projects to captivate audiences and investors alike.
“The aim of the Marché du Film with the Cannes Investors Circle is to support artistically and financially ambitious film projects,” said Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film. “For the second time, we are selecting projects of the highest caliber to present to top-tier investors. In light of the current financial landscape and Cannes’ unique positioning, we believe it’s relevant to explore new opportunities for funding through private investment.”
Scheduled for Sunday, 19 May, the event will take place at the prestigious Plage des Palmes, the official beachside venue of the Marché du Film — Festival de Cannes, which offers an intimate setting away from the bustling atmosphere of the Palais des Festivals. The afternoon will commence with captivating keynote talks delivered by prominent leaders in the global film industry, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of film financing and investment.
Following the keynote sessions, a private, invitation-only pitching session will take center stage, offering esteemed investors a unique opportunity to hear presentations on the ten new global film projects to be unveiled for the first time at the investment stage.
In its inaugural 2023 selection, Investors Circle featured projects with budgets up to $12.8M (€12.0M) from a lineup of established independent producers and directors, including past Palme d’Or and Golden Bear winners.
The event will culminate in a networking cocktail, providing an exclusive opportunity for investors and project holders to engage in meaningful discussions and forge valuable connections.
Invitations to the event are limited and reserved exclusively for VIP private investors.
Event Details: Plage des Palmes
Date: Sunday, May 19
Selected Directors:
1. Rakhshan Banietemad (Iran)
2. Uta Beria (Georgia)
3. Chie Hayakawa (Japan)
4. Lorcan Finnegan (Ireland)
5. Nadav Lapid (Israel)
6. Teodora Ana Mihai (Romania / Belgium)
7. Ruben Östlund (Sweden)
8. Laura Samani (Italy)
9. Agnieszka Smoczyńska (Poland)
10. Jorge Thielen Armand (Venezuela)