Between the 4th and 10th of December 2021, seven filmmakers who competed in the short film selection of La Semaine de la Critique presented their first feature film projects. During a week-long workshop, they have been guided by international consultants providing advice on their script and the production, distribution and sales strategies. Directors also had the opportunity to think about the musical world of their film, in partnership with the Sacem. The workshop ended with a two-day meeting sessions with French film professionals, an opportunity for participants to present their project, make first contact and build relationships for future collaborations.
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Next Step further accompanies directors by giving them the opportunity to participate in two residencies to continue developing the scripts of their feature film:
Nicolai G.H. Johansen will take part in a month-long residency at the Moulin d’Andé-Céci, during which he will have three sessions with a consultant.
Ian Barling will participate in a 3 week-long residency at the Pop Up Film Residency in Bratislava, Slovakia, supervised by Matthieu Darras.
Lastly, a professional jury will give the Next Step Prize to one of the 7 projects. This prize includes a 5,000€ endowment and an invitation to the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
Films supported by Next Step
Over its 8 editions, the Next Step programme has supported 72 filmmakers, 42% of whom are women, from 34 countries.
Completed Films
To this day, Next Step has supported 13 films, most recently Rio Doce by Fellipe Fernandes, Anaïs In Love by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet and Carlo Francisco Manatad's Whether The Weather Is Fine.
Discover here the 13 films supported by Next Step
Coming in 2022
Arcadia | Yorgos Zois
Homemade Films & Squaredsquare Films
Birchanger Green | Moin Hussain
Escape Films
Bruxa | Cristèle Alves Meira
Fluxus
Convenience Store | Michael Borodin
Metrafilms, Perfo & Karma Films
Dogborn | Isabella Carbonell
Momento Film
J’ai des rêves électriques | Valentina Maurel
Geko Films, Wrong Men & Pacifia Grey
Los Colonos (The Settlers) | Félipe Galvez
Quijote Films, Ciné-Sud Promotion, Rei Cine & Snowglobe
The Maiden | Graham Foy
MDFF & F F Films Inc.
Michelle Remembers | Pia Borg
5 à 7 Films & Ritual Pictures
Some Rain Must Fall | Qiu Yang
Wild Grass Films & Why Not Productions
The Woodcutter Story | Mikko Myllylahti
2018 Next Step 2018 Prize
Aamu Film Company