Cannes’ Launchpad: How AmPav Shapes the Future of American Film

The Festival de Cannes and its adjacent Marché du Film marks the true launch of the cinematic year, a convergence point for global discourse on new trends, best practices, and critical reflections on the state of cinema. It is also a high-stakes marketplace where capital, talent, and opportunity intersect. At the center of this dynamic environment stands the American Pavilion (AmPav), a prominent hub within the International Village and the definitive meeting ground for American power players, dealmakers, and creative talent on the Croisette.

Commanding one of the most sought-after hubs within the Village, AmPav functions as a fully equipped, multi-functional powerhouse. With a snack bar, complimentary coffee bar, VIP seating areas, and curated programming, it welcomes filmmakers and industry delegates from around the world. Industry leaders, financiers, producers, and A-list talent regularly pass through its doors, utilizing the space for strategic meetings, educational sessions, high-impact networking, a very popular late-night Queer-themed dance party, and well-timed moments of respite between screenings and dealmaking.

Integral to its ecosystem is a well-structured internship program that brings on nearly 200 carefully selected students each year. These emerging talents are strategically placed within the Pavilion or with external companies operating at the Marché, serving both as essential support and as a long-term investment in cultivating the next generation of industry professionals.

The Pavilion’s programming is intentionally designed to support meaningful industry growth. From high-profile panelists sessions to the annual Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, each event draws strong attendance and is open to all AmPav badge holders. 

The festival’s opening industry mixer brings together emerging and seasoned professionals in a high-touch networking environment. “California Day” highlighted the intellectual and creative output of the U.S. entertainment capital, facilitating cross-continental dialogue. Queer Night, featuring an LGBTQ+ emerging filmmaker showcase, reinforced the Pavilion’s commitment to inclusive storytelling and diverse representation, both as artistic priorities and strategic opportunities.

In collaboration with organizations such as SAGindie, the Pavilion hosts roundtable discussions that enable direct, candid dialogue between top-tier talent and the next generation of creatives. This year’s guests included Kyle Marvin (Splitsville) and Yolonda Ross (The Chi), offering rare insights into the realities of the industry from both creative and production perspectives.

Larger panels provide broader insights on key industry themes. Featuring luminaries like Spike Lee and LaKeith Stanfield, these sessions deliver valuable perspectives from figures whose work bridges critical acclaim and commercial success. For the interns and attendees, these experiences are both educational and transformative.

The Pavilion’s impact extends through its people. Take Jimmy Bienvenu a Québécois who began working with the Pavilion seven years ago in event logistics and now aspires to a career in acting. His journey reflects the opportunity that emerges from proximity to global decision-makers and the energy Cannes cultivates. As Jimmy shares, “there are lots of event directors and film artists from Québec. This is a very inclusive pavilion and I love that I get to meet lots of people and speak French with them.”

The American Pavilion operates as a high-functioning model of what industry infrastructure can look like at global festivals. It fuses hospitality with influence, education with opportunity, and creativity with commerce. At Cannes, where the entertainment elite gather to shape the future of global storytelling, the Pavilion remains an essential platform for American cinema and a launchpad for the next generation of industry leaders.

The PJ Party: Cannes’ Most Unconventional Power Mixer

The PJ Party is one of the unmissable events in Cannes. Entry is granted through a lottery system, making it one of the most coveted invitations of the Cannes Film Festival festivities. At this event, tuxedos and gowns are traded for silk robes and flannel pants, and champagne flows as freely as conversation. Attended by filmmakers, financiers, producers, and rising talent from around the world, this signature gathering blends luxury, levity, and access in a way few others can.

Founded seven years ago by director Maxim Jago and producer Dave DeBorde, the party was born from a radical idea: dismantle the traditional power divide by leveling the dress code. Pajamas -elegant, eccentric, and inclusive- became the great equalizer, turning a traditionally exclusive gathering into a shared, human experience. The result? A networking environment that’s relaxed, open, and deeply effective.

Admission is free, thanks to a lineup of generous sponsors including Family Films, Entertainment Marketing Group, Glu Network, and others who recognize the strategic value of the event. But the PJ Party isn’t just about spectacle, it’s rooted in purpose. Each year, Jago and DeBorde select a charitable cause to spotlight. For 2025, the event supports The Amyloidosis Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to researching and raising awareness for the rare and often overlooked organ disease.

With its unique blend of playfulness, philanthropy, and professional access, the PJ Party has evolved into more than just a party, it’s a cultural fixture and a can’t-miss moment on the Cannes calendar.