What’s more American than Hollywood’s own home state? At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the American Pavilion is taking that idea and running with it, as the epicenter of all things American film at the annual French festival will host its first-ever California Day.
On May 15, the American Pavilion will “feature inspiring keynote addresses, dynamic panels, and vibrant networking opportunities,” all built around California as an enduring and appealing destination for production.
Officially billed as “an immersive day of celebration and programming at the Cannes Film Festival,” California Day is “dedicated to highlighting California’s extraordinary contributions to the global film industry.” The true aim of California Day? To “spotlight the state’s role as a filmmaking hub and leader in entertainment innovation, celebrating its thriving creative scene and fostering international collaborations.”
And IndieWire will be a big part of that. In partnership with AmPav, IndieWire will program a keynote address on California Day dedicated to “The Future of Filmmaking in California: Innovation, Creativity, and Global Impact.” The discussion will center around California’s evolving role in the entertainment industry. Topics will include the intersection of technology and storytelling, the state’s position as a creative epicenter, and the importance of sustainability in production. Speaker details and other IndieWire-curated programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
Additional California Day panels will examine Hollywood’s role in the global entertainment landscape, along with discussions on technology and the future of film production in California.
“Our mission has always been to celebrate creativity and provide educational opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers by giving a platform to industry leaders and changemakers,” said Julie Sisk, Founder and President of The American Pavilion, in a statement. “This year, we feel it is important to honor California’s unrivaled legacy in global entertainment. After several challenging years for the industry, dedicating a day to California is essential to spotlight its enduring impact and cultural significance in filmmaking. We are proud to partner with Visit California, the California Film Commission, and IndieWire on this exciting event, which features visionary voices championing California’s future. California Day embodies the spirit of The American Pavilion and reaffirms our commitment to creativity and innovation on a global stage.”
Added Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta in her own statement, “Cinephiles from around the world dream of visiting the scenes from their favorite films, and California is the ultimate playground for filmmakers. We’re thrilled to celebrate California’s abundance of backdrops at the iconic Cannes Film Festival, reinforcing that Hollywood is the epicenter of the entertainment world, and a critical economic cornerstone for our state that needs continued support to remain competitive on the global stage.”
The 78th Cannes Film Festival will run May 13 – 24.
