Published by Cannes Market Dailies

May 13, 2026

12-20 MAY 2026Cannes Festival News and Dailies I Cannes Market Dailies Les Dailies du Festival I Les News du Marché Our cannes video coverage: 473 videos2025...

Ampav program may 14

THURSDAY, MAY 14

CALIFORNIA DAY AT THE AMERICAN PAVILION

Presented by the California Film Commission with Marina del Rey Tourism Board, Film Santa Monica, Chula Vista Entertainment Company (CVEC), Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) and NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA)

11:00 AM

Featured Conversation: Powering Production — Why California Leads

California Film Commission Director Colleen Bell joins Christopher Slager, President of Film at Fifth Season, for an intimate fireside conversation about why California remains the global center of film and television production. With a slate spanning A24 comedies, Netflix originals, and Academy Award nominees, Slager brings a producer's perspective on what draws filmmakers to the state — and what keeps them here. Together, they'll examine California's evolving production landscape, from its world-class crews and infrastructure to its incentive programs and creative ecosystem, and what the state's vision for the future means for independent filmmakers and studios alike.

11:45 AM

The California Advantage: Locations, Hospitality & Production Resources
California offers filmmakers more than world-famous scenery. This conversation highlights how tourism boards, film offices, and regional partners collaborate to provide seamless production support - from locations and lodging to catering, permitting, and community engagement helping productions thrive statewide.

Janet Zaldua, Marina del Rey Tourism Board
Murielle Nouchy, Santa Monica Film Office
Jacqueline Ryan, CVEC (Chula Vista Entertainment Company)
Moderated by Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, SVP and Editor in Chief

12:30 PM

Made in California: Incentives, Financing & Independent Film

This panel explores California’s expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program 4.0 and the broader financing ecosystem available to filmmakers across the state. Industry leaders will discuss stackable incentives, rebates, grants, and financing strategies, alongside resources supporting independent producers and emerging storytellers working in California.

Learn how California’s enhanced incentive program is helping attract productions back to the state while creating new opportunities for independent filmmakers. Panelists will discuss tax credits, regional rebates, financing tools, grants, and the statewide support systems available to productions at every scale.

Colleen Bell, Director, California Film Commission
Larry Laboe, Executive Director, NFMLA (NewFilmakers LA)
Manijeh Fata, Executive Director, Film SF and member of FLICS (Film Liaisons in California Statewide)
Moderated by Chris O'Falt, VP, Features Strategy, IndieWire

2:00 PM

IndieWire: In Conversation - Ashes

Director and co-writer Diego Luna and producer Valerie Delpierre in conversation with Anne Thompson, IndieWire Editor at Large

Diego Luna returns to Cannes as a director with Ashes (Ceniza en la boca), a drama selected for Special Screenings that follows a young woman's struggle in Madrid. The film marks a homecoming of sorts - Luna first brought his debut feature Abel to the festival in 2010 and served on the Un Certain Regard jury in 2016 - and a deepening of his commitment to Latin American storytelling on a global stage. Luna joins his producer Valerie Delpierre for a conversation that will explore their creative collaboration, the mechanics and creative possibilities of Mexican-Spanish co-product

4:00 PM - Built for Production: Why California Continues to Lead