When the Festival de Cannes opens in France on May 13, the emphasis will be on the major stars and major movies, but there is a whole other world at Cannes – and Kodak knows it well. That’s the world of tomorrow’s talent – the undiscovered filmmakers. For 22 years, Kodak has partnered with the festival to provide recognition and opportunities to those who live in this world.
“Kodak is well respected among major studios and the major directors of today,” says Thierry Perronnet, Kodak’s marketing director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “However, the next generation filmmakers who are new to filmmaking, are also very important. Our goal at Cannes is to help them to get started, to help them ‘get discovered,’ to gain recognition for their talent, and to establish a relationship we – and they – can build on for tomorrow.”
For those filmmakers who are first time directors, Kodak provides major support for the Camera d’Or, one of the festival’s most prestigious competitions. This year, it’s judged by a six-member jury led by Roschdy Zem, an actor/director from France.
“The jury includes a broad range of talent,” says Perronnet. “But we are especially pleased to see that it includes a cinematographer, Diane Baratier. She will bring a unique and important point of view to the discussions and decisions.”
For 2009, there are 20 films in competition for the Camera d’Or; the winner will join a list of filmmakers that began in 1978 when Robert M. Young won that award for his film Alambrista. Since that time, winners of the Camera d’Or have come from all over the world: five times they’ve come from either France or the United States, but multiple times, they’ve also come from Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, and Israel.
In addition to the award itself, the winner receives 50,000 Euros worth of Kodak motion picture stock. “Filmmakers are always looking ahead to their next project,” says Perronnet. “Kodak film enables them to tell their next story without creative compromise.”
To provide additional help to filmmakers taking part in the Camera d’Or competition, Kodak will host a special session to bring them together with Europa Distribution, a major independent film distribution association in Europe. Kodak will also join forces with the Short Film Corner at Cannes, to bring new and independent filmmakers together with international buyers and distributors of short films at several meet-and-greet receptions.
“All filmmakers have two key goals,” Perronnet notes. “The first is to get their film made, but equally important, they want to get their film distributed, to be seen and enjoyed by a world audience. At Cannes, we are able to use our connections and support to help them in both areas.”
And, once again, Kodak will renew its partnership with Cinefondation, an association created by the festival in 1998, which selects and screens short- and medium-length motion pictures from film schools around the world. The association’s goal is to discover and promote new talent. This year, more than 1,000 films were received for consideration.
“For Kodak, Cannes remains an important festival, not just for what everyone sees on the red carpet and in major screenings at the Palais,” adds Perronnet. “Most of our work is behind the scenes, with those whose talent is just being discovered, the new filmmakers who are stepping out in new directions. The next generation of filmmakers is showing very impressive talent. The future of filmmaking is in very good hands.”
For more information about Kodak at Cannes, including a Festival Guide and a look back at the rich legacy of major award-wining films, visit www.kodak.com/go/cannes.
