Xavier Bettel meets professionals from the audiovisual sector at the 75th Cannes Film Festival

Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister and Minister for Communications and Media, visited Cannes from 18 to 20 May to meet professionals from the audiovisual production sector and to take part in the traditional Luxembourg Day. He found out about developments in the sector and expressed his support for its development.

"With a record number of co-productions in this year's official selection, I feel honoured by the talent of Luxembourg cinema. This international recognition once again demonstrates the know-how, professionalism and dynamism of our 7mm industry.^e art".

The Prime Minister also visited several stands at the film market, including that of Ukraine. He welcomed all the national film representatives, their counterparts, co-production partners, distributors and others to the traditional Luxembourg reception.

A meeting had also been scheduled in the Luxembourg pavilion between Guilhem Caillard, director of the Cinemania Festival to discuss the organisation of Luxembourg's presence at the festival in November, which will feature a large audiovisual and cultural delegation from the Grand Duchy.

Filmfong also took part in the traditional French-language co-production meeting, bringing together partners from 5 countries (Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Canada).

In collaboration with the LARS (directors and scriptwriters) and ACTORS.lu (actors and actresses) associations, Filmfong awarded a grant to young actors Nassim Rachid and Delphine Sabat and young director Dominique Santana to enable them to take part in the film market and meet the professionals on site.

Initiatives supported by Filmfong alongside the Cannes Film Market:

NEW DAWN

Nine European film funds (including Filmfong) officially launched a new production fund called "NEW DAWN" in Cannes on Sunday 22 May, with the aim of promoting greater diversity in the international film industry.

In addition to this creation, the first call for projects is open via newdawn.film.

Participating funds: Communauté française de Belgique - Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel; Flanders Audiovisual Fund; Film Fund Luxembourg ; Finnish Film Foundation ; Norwegian Film Institute; Swedish Film Institute ; Screen Ireland; Instituto Português do Cinema e do Audiovisual; Netherlands Film Fund.

UKRANIAN FILMS NOW 

This initiative aims to accelerate the completion of a portfolio of 9 Ukrainian films in post-production by providing financial support for these films and networking Ukrainian teams with potential European co-producers and partners.

More than a dozen film funds, including Filmfong, have already joined forces to support this initiative.

Event promoted by EAVE, First Cut Laband When East Meets West, in partnership with EFAD and CineRegio and under the patronage of Film Market.

Support for Ukraine - another initiative

Last March, in response to the dramatic situation in Ukraine, Filmfong, through the European Film Agency Directors Association (EFAD) wished to express its solidarity with the country's audiovisual sector and support it through two initiatives: International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and Filmmakers for Ukraine.

This support is financed on the one hand by the use of theEFAD and a financial contribution from each member organisation of this association.

*6 films have been selected for this year's Cannes Festival:

Un certain regard" Official Selection

Bodice co-produced by Bernard Michaux and directed by Marie Kreutzer (starring Vicky Krieps).

More than ever (Plus que jamais) co-produced by Jani Thiltges (Samsa Film) and directed by Emily Atef (starring Vicky Krieps).

Harka co-produced by Donato Rotunno (Tarantula Luxembourg) and directed by Lotfy Nathan.

Official selection "event session

Le petit Nicolas - What are we waiting for to be happy? co-produced by Lilian Eche and Christel Henon (Bidibul Productions) and directed by Amandine Fredon and Benjamin Massoubre, based on the work by René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé.

Official selection "midnight session

Rebel co-produced by Jésus Gonzalez (Calach Films) and directed by Adil Ek Arbi and Bilall Fallah.

"Directors' Fortnight

Pamfir co-produced by Adolf El Assal (Wady Films) and directed by Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk.