Founded in 1946 and held annually in Cannes, France, The Cannes Film Festival is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Now in its 78th edition, the festival will be held from May 14 to May 24. The festival has a significant Canadian presence this year, featuring B.C. panelists, delegates, films, and recognition for the B.C Film Commission at Creative BC.
Still from SITTING BIRD (dir. Athena Han)
BC Film Commission Shortlisted for 2025 Film Commission of the Year
This year, the BC Film Commission at Creative BC was shortlisted for the 2025 Film Commission of the Year at the Global Production Awards. The Film Commission of the Year is awarded to a film commission with an established international reputation for exemplary service to productions and a top filming destination of choice. This award recognizes a film commission’s efforts to attract filmmakers, problem-solving approach, customer service, creativity, community contribution, and why the location is proving so popular across locations, incentives, studios, crew, and more.
Judges for the third Global Production Awards include Jay Roewe, senior vice president at HBO; Valerie Guerette-Langlais, head of production tax and incentives at A24; and Veronica Sullivan, head of global production external affairs and state and local government at NBCUniversal. The judging panel was put together by specialist strategy consultancy Olsberg SPI.
Presence from British Columbia
Over 40 people from B.C., will attend Marché du Film 2025 from May 13 to May 21, including 10 delegates supported by the Passports to Markets program, celebrating cinematic excellence, supporting the film industry, and honouring the year’s best films. With a diverse film market featuring numerous screenings, 600 exhibitors across Cannes, 250 industry events, and more than 20 tailored industry programs, the Marché du Film will showcase exceptional B.C. productions, including documentaries featured as part of the Canada Showcase in Cannes Docs on May 16.
Also, powered by Telefilm Canada, Canada: Not Short on Talent 2025 will screen B.C. shorts at the festival, offering fresh and captivating stories from rising Canadian filmmakers.
On May 16, at the Canada Pavilion, there will be a panel titled “Canada: Partner of Choice – Maximizing Coproduction Opportunities,” featuring Creative BC’s CEO, Prem Gill, as a panelist. As well, on May 19, Creative BC CEO Prem Gill and BC Film Commissioner Marnie Gee will represent the BC Film Commission at Creative BC at the 2025 Global Production Awards, which is shortlisted for Film Commission of the Year.
Additionally, supported by the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), B.C. producer Rylan Friday from Terror Fox Productions will attend the Producers Network Official Breakfast on May 15.
Still from CONCRETE TURNED TO SAND (dir. Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora)
Delegates from British Columbia
Attending via Creative BC’s Passport to Markets:
Christine Haebler from Terminal City Pictures Inc.
Yael Carnet from Studio Marginal Films Inc.
Christian Bruyere from Mystique Films Ltd.
Alexander Lasheras from Soler Pictures Inc.
Trish Dolman from Screen Siren Pictures Inc.
Tina T. Pehme from Honalee Productions (Sepia Films)
Vince Damato from Darkside Releasing
Graem Luis from BPC Entertainment Inc.
Alex Soldatov from Mowa Productions Inc.
Emily Alden from Pitchblack Pictures Inc
Films from British Columbia
Canada Showcase in Cannes Docs | Docs-in-Progress
CONCRETE TURNED TO SAND (dir. Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora)
Following a collective of oyster farmers on Cortes Island, British Columbia, Concrete Turned to Sand traces the changing intertidal zone as it endures the effects of ocean warming and acidification. Temporal, geographic and ecological scales of perception flow between each other, as the film reveals the transforming landscape and the intertwined livelihoods within it.
WE SHALL EAT WHEN THE RIVER IS FULL (dir. Banchi Hanuse)
At Nuxalk Radio, a rinky-dink, ramshackled station on the edge of the world, an inquiry into the disappearance of their sacred fish unearths a deeper truth about the ancestors who vanished before them -unraveling a chilling story buried in Canada’s past.
Canada: Not Short on Talent 2025
SITTING BIRD (dir. Athena HAN)
A Chinese immigrant stay-home-father struggles with feelings of inadequacy within the family. One day he sees a lost flamingo and feels the need to rescue it.
THE PALACE, directed by Lauren Marsden
At a secret forest hideout, suburban teen Dani meets up with her crush Jayde, only to realize an otherworldly presence else has joined them.
