BFI announces Cannes events programme at the UK Pavilion

Discussion events with leading industry speakers will explore:

• new international initiatives focused on developing audiences;  
• maximising opportunities offered by international co-production forums and markets;  
• how and which UK films are breaking into international markets; 
• how creatives are experimenting with new ways of telling stories;  
• how UK funders are working to support talent in the new media landscape;  
• creative and production processes at work in international co-productions; and 
• the UK’s new Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits.  

Denitsa Yordanova, BFI Head of the International Funds and UK Global Screen Fund, says,

“To have nine films with UK participation in Cannes selections, many that have been created through international co-production and collaboration, is fantastic to celebrate. We are delighted that our UK Pavilion programme this year will be welcoming filmmakers in sharing their journeys, as well as an exciting group of UK and international screen industry leaders who will be sharing their experiences in working across the wider screen industry, and sharing their insights on how the business is working today.”

Writer/director Sandhya Suri, producer Mike Goodridge from Good Chaos and Eva Yates, Director of BBC Film, share the journey behind making Suri’s narrative director debut.  A co-production with partners in India ProductionScope, Suitable Pictures, UK (Good Chaos), Germany (Razor Films) and France (Haut et Court) and supported by the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding)and BBC Film, Santosh is receiving its World Premiere in Un Certain Regard.

Irish director of photography Robbie Ryan is in Cannes with two films In Competition this year - Bird directed by Andrea Arnold and Kinds of Kindness directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Ryan will be discussing his work and passion for film in all its forms – from short movies to features and documentaries. Moderated by Wendy Mitchell, journalist and Film Festival Consultant. 

The BFI and the British Council are co-hosting an event presenting eight of the UK’s most exciting first and second feature filmmaker with their films to UK and international buyers and programmers. This event is supported by GREAT, the UK Government’s international promotion campaign, which aims to enhance the UK’s reputation and drive growth by encouraging international audiences to visit, study and do business with the UK. This event is invitation only. The eight films selected for the showcase was recently announced, read about it here.

The BFI is also partnering with Diversity in Cannes, the British Blacklist and Times Up UK  to host Black Women’s lunch event as part of the Cannes Marché event programme, celebrating Black women filmmakers (12:30-14:30, Sunday 19 May).   

BFI International is also a partner in a number of events focused on stimulating collaboration opportunities with different countries.  CoCreate - Cannes 2023 in the Canada Pavilion (Monday 20 May, 09:00) with Ontario Creates, Telefilm Canada, the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Australia, Screen Scotland, and Screen Ireland.  UK – India Business for producers from each country to explore co-production opportunities in the India Pavilion co-hosted with the National Film Development Corporation of India.  A BFI International Co-production reception for UK producers to meet counterparts from other countries including Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Dominican Republic and the US, on Friday 17 May, 17:30, at the UK Pavilion.  These three events are by invitation only. 

The UK Pavilion is based in the Cannes Marché International Village and this year has a new design look reflecting the new Screen UK Industry brand supporting international collaboration partnerships with the UK.  In addition to a programme of events, the UK Pavilion offers a meeting space for delegates including a terrace and information resources to be launched imminently on the new Screen UK Industry hub about working with the UK. The BFI’s Certification Unit also offers 1-2-1 sessions on qualifying for the UK’s Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits.  

Industry events and talent talks at a glance

Friday 17 May | 11:30 - 12:30
[Palais des Festivals]
Good Work: best practices in film  
This session will look at the steps that some countries are taking to improve working conditions and create a healthier, more productive working culture.

Friday 17 May | 11:30 - 12:30
[UK Pavilion]
Talent Talk: Robbie Ryan
Join us for an exclusive conversation with award-winning director of photography Robbie Ryan (Birds, Kinds of Kindness, Poor Things, The Old Oak, Fish Tank)

Saturday 18 May | 11:30 - 12:30
[UK Pavilion]
How the UK’s new AVEC works
Our panel will unpack details on how the new UK Audio-Visual Expenditure Credits measures work as well as the uplifted AVEC for independent film.

Saturday 18 May | 14:00 - 15:00
[UK Pavilion]
How to find your international partner
The session will explore how filmmakers can leverage their participation in co-production forums and markets to forge sustainable international partnerships and gain access and visibility beyond national borders.

Saturday 18 May | 16:00 - 17:00
[UK Pavilion]
Developing new audiences: international case studies
What do Godzilla Minus One, European arthouse films and anime have in common? Join our panel of international experts to discuss innovative projects and release strategies to reach new audiences.

Sunday 19 May | 11:30 - 12:30
[UK Pavilion]
UK film funders in conversation
Five UK funders share their national and international ambitions, how they are working to empower emerging talent in a new media landscape, and their approach to creativity and risk.

Sunday 19 May | 14:00 - 15:00
[UK Pavilion]
Storytelling across media
Meet our panel of creatives, working across film, television and games, and discover how they are playing with different media, experimenting new ways of telling stories.

Sunday 19 May | 16:00 - 17:00
[UK Pavilion]
Talent Talk: Santosh
Join us to discover Sandhya Suri’s narrative directorial debut Santosh, premiering in ‘Un Certain Regard’.

Monday 20 May | 11:30 - 12:30
[UK Pavilion]
The international circulation of UK films
A panel of international sales agents and distributors discuss how UK films travel across borders

Monday 20 May | 14:00 - 15:00
[UK Pavilion]
Talent Talk: Maya: The Birth of a Superhero and Evolver
Join us to discover Maya: The Birth of a Superhero and Evolver, both in Cannes Immersive Competition.