The second annual Cannes Investors Circle has revealed its lineup, including films from Ruben Östlund and Lorcan Finnegan.
Taking place at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival, the Investors Circle showcases 10 never-before-seen films in various stages of development to an exclusive group of film financing experts and investors. According to a press release, the projects in this year’s lineup range in budget between €1 million and €20 million and “represent the pinnacle of artistic and financial ambition.”
Two-time Palme d’Or winner Östlund will unveil his latest film at the market, while Finnegan — who is presenting “The Surfer” starring Nicolas Cage in the festival’s official selection — is also revealing his next project.
Other Cannes alum presenting new works to the Investors Circle include “Plan 75” director and Camera d’Or winner Chie Hayakawa; Nadav Lapid, who won the jury prize for “Ahed’s Knee” in 2021; and Laura Samani, whose debut “Small Body” premiered at Critics’ Week in 2021. Rakhshan Banietemad (Iran), Uta Beria (Georgia), Teodora Ana Mihai (Romania), Agnieszka Smoczyńska (Poland) and Jorge Thielen Armand (Venezuela) round out the lineup.
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“The aim of the Marché du Film with the Cannes Investors Circle is to support artistically and financially
ambitious film projects,” Marché du Film executive director Guillaume Esmiol said in a statement. “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.”
The event will take place on May 19 at the Plage des Palmes, kicking off with a keynote address before the pitching session begins.