The forthcoming Cannes Marché du Film impACT programme 2024 led by Think-Film Impact Production will highlight innovation, creativity and action in an action-focused day centred on the socially pressing topics of democracy, women’s rights and mental health.
The programme is sponsored by SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios and Maybelline, amongst others, and includes as speakers Oscar-winning director of 20 Days in Mariupol Mstyslav Chernov, award-winning journalist, author, translator, producer and Golden Globe Associate Tina Jøhnk Christensen, and Vice President of Social Impact for SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios at Paramount Global, Noopur Agarwal.
On Thursday May 16th, 2024 as part of Festival de Cannes’ and Marché du Film’s investment in corporate social responsibility, the Plages des Palmes will play host to the fourth annual Cannes impACT programme, a series of high-powered conversations convened by film impact industry leaders Think-Film Impact Production. Speakers will reflect on pressing current issues and trends, and present solutions around these that can be mainstreamed for social impact. These conversations as a whole hope to inform film industry business practices and build a more socially responsible creative economy, encouraging a progressive transformation of the global film and entertainment industry through tangible commitments and action.
The impACT programme commences at 09:00 with a morning interactive wellness session to clear the mind and rejuvenate after the first night of Cannes festivities. Creative professionals are at particular risk of stress, burnout, and exhaustion; this window to prioritise personal mental health amidst the business of the Cannes Film Festival is led by Alexandra Miles, Founder of non-profit Project Blackbird, and includes presentation of a short film and peer-encouragement journal prompt reflection. All are welcome to attend and participate.
Afternoon panel conversations run from 14:30 to 17:00.
The first panel fixes its gaze on the essential need for stronger female representation in film, and considers how impact can be leveraged to level the playing field. Speakers include award-winning screenwriter and Academy Member Misan Sagay, and award-winning journalist, author, translator, producer and Golden Globe Associate Tina Jøhnk Christensen. Talented directing duo Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir will introduce their female-led documentary about womanhood and women’s access to art, “The Brink of Dreams” which follows a rebellious group of girls who formed a street theatre troupe in a remote Egyptian village. The film was selected for Cannes Critics’ Week and premieres on May 17th 2024, 11:30 at Miramar.
The second panel unpacks through a lens of mental health how narrative and production investment in foundational societal considerations can vitally unlock creative potential and generate transformative economic and impact returns. Celebrating Mental Health Action Day, Vice President of Social Impact for SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios at Paramount Global, Noopur Agarwal, will present the Mental Health Media Guide, a first-of-its-kind resource designed to help content creators expand mental health representation in entertainment. Other speakers will address the demand for and impact of authentic and nuanced mental health stories.
The third panel, presented in partnership with Cannes Docs, recognises that this is ‘election year’, where almost half of the world’s population will go to the polls and make choices that will critically influence how the future will run. But how can we ensure democratic fairness when fake news and disinformation mean that citizens no longer trust news media? Award-winning directors and producers stand together to highlight the interconnectedness of storytelling and democracy around the globe. Speakers are: Mstyslav Chernov, Director of Oscar-winning essential documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”; multi-award-winning international producer Sigrid Dyekjaer, introducing “Democracy Noir“; Vanessa Hope directing “Invisible Nation”; Victoria Harwood Kapadia – director of an upcoming film “One World or None” about the world’s first global citizen’s assembly; and, Tony Gerber, director of Sundance-premiered “War Game” which is screening in Marché du Film on May 17th 2024, 09:00 at the Olympia (theatre 5).
In parallel with the beach-front programme, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) also returns to Cannes, inviting the industry to look more closely at the topic of inclusion in cinema and the prevalence of stereotypes in media portrayals of Europe’s largest minority – Roma. Speakers Timea Junghaus – ERIAC Executive Director, Fatih Abay – European Film Academy, Vera Láckova – Producer, Director, Founder of Media Voice, and Simon Perry – Senior Consultant, ACE Producers, call for structural change to combat potentially harmful narratives with expert insight.
After a day of thinking about social responsibility, Think-Film invites guests to unwind at the Plages des Palmes with an impact cocktail hour from 17:00 – 18:00, with relaxed networking and an opportunity to meet the team.
Danielle Turkov Wilson, Founder & CEO of Think-Film Impact Production said: “Awards, box office figures and viewing data all show that impactful political and social films are needed and demanded. With the devastating closure of Participant and concerns about the future of films with purpose, impact is on a new threshold. I am proud to see the Cannes impACT programme growing each year, and the industry having more and more opportunities to focus on important topics and conversations.”
Press Contact :
Ugne Pilkionyte, Senior Impact Strategist
