The Marché du Film reaffirms its role as the premier hub for innovation supporting
creativity and the global film industry
Courtesy of MDF - © Claire Lebeau
The 2026 film market spotlights an expanded innovation program, highlighting generative AI, virtual production, immersive storytelling, and the creator economy, while offering more engaging hands-on experiences and streamlined opportunities for business.
Ahead of its 12–20 May 2026 edition, the Marché du Film reinforces its role as a key meeting point for creativity, technology, and the film industry. Building on its established programs while expanding their scope, the market will continue to highlight how new technologies and innovative storytelling are transforming the way films are created, produced, and distributed. Participants will gain broader access to cutting-edge developments through initiatives such as Cannes Next and the Village Innovation, the Immersive Competition and Market, the AI for Talent and Creator Economy summits, as well as an upgraded online platform powered by Cinando.
The Village Innovation returns to the Pantiero area within the Village International as the central hub for Cannes Next. Covering more than 1,000 square meters with views over the Port of Cannes, it will offer an enriched experience, including live virtual production demonstrations on the largest stage of its kind ever featured at a film market. The space will also host tech companies and startups, a curated conference program, and a dedicated networking terrace.
The AI for Talent Summit comes back in an expanded format, taking place over two mornings (15–16 May) and reserved for invited leaders from the film and tech sectors. The event will bring together major tech players and creative professionals to examine practical applications of AI in both creative and business contexts, focusing on production workflows, ethical use, and education, with concrete examples and actionable insights.
The Immersive Market moves to the Carlton Hotel, alongside the Festival de Cannes’ Immersive Competition, which introduces a new format centered on shared audience experiences. Hosted in a redesigned 450 m² venue accommodating up to 225 participants, the competition will present a range of works—from advanced VR projects to large-scale video mapping. The market will also use this space to allow selected producers to showcase live demos to top distributors and curators, creating a highly effective platform for immersive content distribution through pitching sessions, networking, and business opportunities.
For the first time, the Marché will introduce a Creator Economy Summit, exploring the growing connections between traditional filmmaking and digital content creation. The event will examine how online creators are moving into long-form storytelling, covering topics such as adapting digital properties for cinema, discovering new talent, audience engagement, and innovative marketing approaches.
Meanwhile, Cinando—developed by the Marché du Film—has been relaunched with improved tools and features. The Marché du Film Online platform will now be fully integrated into this updated system, bringing together screenings, conference content, and networking tools into a single, streamlined environment designed for industry professionals worldwide.
Executive Director Guillaume Esmiol emphasized the market’s commitment to innovation that supports both artistic expression and industry growth, highlighting not only technological progress but also new ways of thinking about business models, collaborations, and professional relationships.
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