The American Pavilion Welcomes Students with Three New Programs at Cannes Film Festival

Los Angeles, CA, April 21, 2009 --(PR.com)-- For the past twenty years, The American Pavilion has offered film students the chance to participate in its programs that take place at the Cannes Film Festival. This year, three new exciting opportunities have been added to their popular slate of student programs. These programs provide an exciting educational experience, offering insight about the entertainment industry to young aspiring filmmakers, actors, journalists and individuals studying the overall business of film.

The Emerging Filmmaker Showcase – This program will support upcoming young filmmakers by screening their films at The American Pavilion during the Cannes Film Festival while providing an opportunity for these filmmakers to have their work seen by Festival and Market attendees and connect with a global audience. Prizes will be awarded to the filmmakers and the top ten films will be screened in a special “Emerging Filmmaker” showcase at The American Pavilion. The top ten finalists will also be available for screening on an ongoing basis at The American Pavilion during the Festival, with the winning films featured in a special showcase screening for an invited audience of industry professionals.

The Cannes Hospitality and Event Management Program – Students participating in this program will conduct six-hour-a-day work placements with The American Pavilion in areas such as concierge services, event planning and catering. Additionally, they will have the chance to work with The American Pavilion’s sponsors as well as other companies doing business at the Festival. All students have the opportunity to meet and interact with industry event and party planners, observing firsthand the fast-paced nature of the Festival and Market.

Virtual Cannes – The “Virtual Cannes” program is being launched this year as an alternative for students and faculty unable to travel to France. Experiencing the Cannes Film Festival without leaving the US, students will have an opportunity to participate in the various seminars at The American Pavilion via their computers either "live" at a pre-set time or from the event archives. One click and participants can experience webcasts of student roundtables, “Industry in Focus” panel discussions and one-on-one “In Conversation” celebrity interviews. There will also be opportunities for educational institutions involved in the program set up for schools and groups to participate in live two-way Q&A sessions via videoconferencing.

Also returning this year are The American Pavilion’s Filmmaker, International Business and Cannes Culinary Programs.

Students who are accepted into the programs stay in Cannes for the duration of the Festival. Prior to the start of the Market, students participate in a four-day Festival orientation and tour of Cannes. They then begin their work placements and participate in educational workshops, seminars, pitch sessions, roundtable discussions and screenings. Previous roundtable discussions have included industry professionals such as Michael Moore, Stephen Frears, Jude Law, Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman and were only open to Program participants.

Building on the success of previous years, The American Pavilion looks forward to offering students selected for the 2009 Programs a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the most prestigious film festival in the world.

For further information on this press release, please contact:
Mia A. Farrell
Publicity Director
The American Pavilion
Tel: +44 7791 670 465
Email: miafarrell@mac.com

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