
Special Guests Include Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Vicky Krieps, Michael Angelo Covino, and many more
Arab Film & Media Gold House, Easterseals, The Impact Lounge, Institute, United for Business and Visit California, to present panels
Legendary filmmakers, acclaimed actors, and headline-making journalists will be among those featured during the upcoming Industry In Focus Series and In Conversation programming at The American Pavilion (AmPav) at the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival, it was announced by Julie Sisk, Founder and President of The American Pavilion (www.ampav.com).
Panels and conversations will take place in the Roger Ebert Conference Center and are open exclusively to AmPav members (https://www.ampav.com/cannes/). Programming begins Wednesday, May 14, and continues through Thursday, May 22, with a packed schedule of more than 25 sessions planned.
“We’re excited to welcome such an extraordinary group of filmmakers, talent, and industry leaders to The American Pavilion,” said Julie Sisk, Founder and President. “From icons like Spike Lee and Richard Linklater to visionary voices shaping the future of film, these conversations offer our members, students, and Emerging Filmmaker Showcase entrants a rare opportunity to engage with the people pushing cinema forward.”
This year’s prestigious In Conversation series features intimate discussions with filmmakers Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing) and Michael Angelo Covino (The Climb, Splitsville)as well as actor Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Corsage).
May 15 is California Day at The American Pavilion, presented by Visit California, California Film Commission, California Wine Commission, Love Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey Tourism Board, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, and Visit West Hollywood. Conversations will center around Filming In California- The Opportunities and the Misconception, and Filming Across Decades- Insights from Seasoned Storytellers.
Presented by United for Business, Indiewire hosts a series of Future of Filmmaking panels which include conversations about international production, film finance, distribution, documentaries, short films, AI, and other topics. The series features a keynote chat with the contemplative and insightful filmmaker, Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Boyhood, Dazed and Confused)
On May 18 and 19, the American Pavilion presents House Party, a two-day summit featuring bold voices and global perspectives in film. Highlights include panels from the Arab Film & Media Institute, The Impact Lounge, and a conversation hosted by Easterseals on reimagining disability inclusion in entertainment, featuring actor and filmmaker Nic Novicki. Additional sessions—Global Storytelling and Why These Stories Matter: Representation in Hollywood—will explore the power and urgency of authentic, diverse narratives. Gold House will also host a Fireside Chat with Lucky Lu director Lloyd Lee Choi and producer Nina Yang Bongiovi
Dive into a powerful journey of emotion and intensity with this orchestral epic music mix. Featuring heart-stirring strings, haunting piano melodies, and cinematic soundscapes, this mix is perfect for moments of reflection, storytelling, writing, or simply feeling deeply. Whether you're seeking inspiration or healing through music, “Tell Me It Wasn’t for Nothing” delivers a dramatic blend of sorrow, hope, and resilience. ? Playlist: all music labeled by Atom Music Audio: 01. 00:00 Gates to Elysium (Alexandros Nikolaidis) 02. 03:31 Caller of the Tide (Dmitry Ustinov) 03. 07:37 When You Were Here (Martí Brugué Noguer - Infinity Music) 04. 10:03 Stronger Than Ever (Michael Sciabbarrasi) 05. 12:53 No One Left Behind (Martí Brugué Noguer - Infinity Music) 06. 15:29 We Die for Earth (Michael Sciabbarrasi, Ariel Yznardo) 07. 18:19 Daybreak (Dmitry Ustinov) 08. 20:50 Requiem (Benjamin T. Jackson) 09. 24:29 Someday (Marco Iannello, Rob Boak) 10. 26:59 Gone (Martí Brugué Noguer - Infinity Music) 11. 28:47 Our Last Hope (Michael Sciabbarrasi) 12. 32:16 Raindrops (Dmitry Ustinov) 13. 34:33 Time for Glory (Bohdan Yeremenko) 14. 37:18 The Age of Titans (Ariel Yznardo) 15. 39:43 Farewell My Love (Marco Iannello, Rob Boak, Andre Stepanian) 16. 42:15 Rain of Ash (Alexandros Nikolaidis) 17. 45:10 Moonshadow (Dmitry Ustinov) 18. 48:09 Brave (Jonathan Mayer) 19. 51:38 Just Stay (Martí Brugué Noguer - Infinity Music) 20. 53:27 Always in My Heart (Marco Iannello, Rob Boak) 21. 56:33 Afterlife (Lisa Van Hal) 22. 59:05 A New Dawn (Andrew Clark) Follow Atom Music Audio: ▸ Official website: https://www.atommusicaudio.com/ ▸ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atommusicaudio ▸ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/atommusicaudio ▸ Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/atommusicaudio ▸ Bandcamp: https://atommusicaudio.bandcamp.com/ ▸ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0mdHq1PxUDKTgjuGwCn4Ps ▸ Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/10602339 ▸ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/atom-music-audio/1267707621 ▸ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B01MQDDBP7/atom-music-audio ▂ ? Image & Animation by Realtime Motion Studios ★ Image: https://www.deviantart.com/realtimemotionstudio/art/Elegy-of-the-Fallen-1188363060 ★ Buy Your Animation: https://realtimemotionstudios.sell.app/ ▂ © Copyright Info ✔ Be aware all music and pictures belongs to the original artists. ✔ This video was given a special license directly from the artists. ✖ I am in no position to give anyone permission to use this .➝ Please ask the artists and NOT me for permission !!!

“Our lineup reflects our two main focuses this year: international and independent voices”; 73% of the Festival’s 245 films are currently without US distribution and feature titles from 74 countries/regions around the globe communicating in 63 different languages
SIFF announced today the lineup of films screening at the 51st Seattle International Film Festival, to be held May 15-25 at venues across the Seattle area and followed by a week of select encore screenings on the SIFF Channel May 26-June 1. This year, the Festival will screen 245 films from 74 countries/regions around the globe communicating in 63 different languages including 83 features, 122 short films in 14 different programs, 35 documentaries, three archival features, and two secret films.
“At a time when the cultural cornerstones of discovery and diversity that make art so important are being threatened, SIFF is doubling down on bringing those stories to the screen,” says SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett. “Our lineup reflects our two main focuses this year: international and independent voices. A large majority of these films are currently without distribution, and may not return to theatres. Discovery and connection are at the very core of who we are, and we hope these 10 days are an escape into new worlds and bold, audacious artistic visions. With more than 60% of films coming from new voices, you might meet your next favorite filmmaker.”
The Festival slate includes 19 world premieres, 27 North American premieres, and 13 US premieres. Nearly 51% of our filmmakers are female or nonbinary-identifying, 37% identify as a BIPOC director, and 20% identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. 60% of the feature films are from first- or second-time filmmakers, and 73% of films don’t currently have US distribution and may not screen commercially in the United States.
The Festival will open with Darren Thornton’s heartwarming Irish intergenerational comedy Four Mothers, starring James McArdle and Fionnula Flanagan. The film, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival, will screen at 7:00pm at The Paramount Theatre with Thornton in attendance and be followed by the Opening Night afterparty in the theater and outdoors on Ninth Avenue.
Closing Night will feature Eva Victor’s Barry Jenkins produced seriocomic drama Sorry, Baby from A24. The film will screen at 6:00pm at SIFF Cinema Downtown, followed by an audience Q&A with writer/director Eva Victor. After the film and Q&A, a Closing Night Party will be held at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) to celebrate the culmination of the Festival.
Additional highlights of the Festival include new restorations of The Glass Web in 3-D and Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers at SIFF Cinema Downtown; the Festival fan favorite Secret Fest, which includes two confidential and unannounced screenings that require each viewer to sign an NDA prior to attending; and the 10th anniversary 4th World Media Lab, a year-long fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers.
The Festival will be a hybrid experience, with in-person screenings of all films at venues across the Seattle area, including SIFF Cinema Uptown, SIFF Film Center, SIFF Cinema Downtown, AMC Pacific Place 11, The Paramount Theatre, and Shoreline Community College Theater. The Festival will be followed by a week of select films streaming on the SIFF Channel from May 26-June 1.
A variety of film and event passes and ticket packs are on sale now. Tickets for individual screenings go on sale to SIFF members on April 23 and to the general public on Ap

The Rising Star Program, a full-service career accelerator, film market access, and mentorship initiative known for elevating visionary talent, proudly announces the 2025 cohort that will be present in Cannes during the film festival and market. This program is designed to spotlight the next wave of emerging filmmakers and actors at various international industry events.
The 2025 cohort features nine Rising Stars poised to make their mark on the industry.
Maria Allred (USA) – A daring filmmaker and producer, and an instigator of process-oriented filmmaking where art and reality interweave. She’s bringing two new features in development to market.
Linjie “LJ” Huang (China & USA) – Filmmaker presenting her short “Chase Jupiter” in the official selection of the American Pavilion’s Emerging Filmmakers Showcase.
Andrew Davies Gans (USA) – A seasoned producer who has just completed his directorial debut, a documentary titled “VOICES: The Danny Gans Story”, about his legendary father. Available for World Rights.
Charlotte Quyao Zhi (China & USA) – Filmmaker blending surreal storytelling with emotional realism to reflect on social issues and the complexities of the human experience.
Kristina Klebe (USA & Germany) – A multihyphenate actress, writer, and filmmaker who just completed her autobiographical directorial debut feature “Noxturne”, which is available for World Rights and World Premiere.
Byron Clohessy (USA) – A prolific actor and musician who has just completed his first feature film as a producer.
Anne Giroux (Canada) – A French Canadian actress and filmmaker dedicated to artistic expression through directing, performance, and writing.
Danicah Waldo (USA) – Filmmaker presenting her short film Sally, Get the Potatoes in the official selection of the American Pavilion’s Emerging Filmmakers Showcase.
Mélanie Dumais (Canada) – A talented French Canadian actress known for her ability to bring gravitas, authenticity, and depth to every character she portrays.
“At the Rising Star Program, we believe that every artist with talent, purpose, and a unique voice deserves to be discovered,” says program manager and publicist Sonia Gonzalvo Pharand. “This program is about global positioning. These artists are here in Cannes not just to be seen, but to be remembered.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS / CALL FOR ENTRIES recommended by filmfestivals.com:
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Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival September 2 – 7, 2025

July 1, 2025: Regular Deadline July 15, 2025: Late Deadline
The Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is consistently recognized as one of the "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" by MovieMaker Magazine. Thank you!
Submit on Filmfreeway
The recurring theme of the annual Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is "Other Places, Other People"; the festival's purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly (about how huge the world of film is) and deeply (about the universal concerns and desires that unite all people). About 90% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film.
International Jury Competition – 10 films will be selected from festival's worldwide entries and screened in the 2025 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival short film showcase. Jury members will select the winning film for a jury cash prize and presentation at Short Film Finalist showcase program on Saturday, September 6th.
We accept either fiction or non-fiction short films. Our festival's programming is about exploring other cultures/people in the world -- so please keep that in mind before submitting.
Jury Prize of $2000 USD cash for winning short film
We look forward to viewing your film /project!
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