CANNES RESIDENCE DU FESTIVAL
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. The Residence du Festival de Cannes is one of the most exclusive screenwriting residencies in the world. Selected filmmakers spend 4.5 months living in a fully funded apartment in Paris, developing their feature screenplay with access to the Paris film industry. The residency culminates at the Cannes Film Festival. Established in 1998 under the Cinefondation initiative created by Gilles Jacob, it is now run by Cinema de Demain. Only 6 filmmakers are selected per session. Crucially, French citizens and residents are NOT eligible — it is specifically designed for international talent from around the world, making it ideal for African filmmakers. Two sessions per year: March–July and October–February.
Deadline
52nd session (October 2026 – February 2027): applications expected to open approximately March/April 2026 — CHECK THE WEBSITE NOW. (51st session deadline was 30 September 2025.)
Cost
s. Access to the Paris cinema and production community. Professional script development guidance. Invitation to the Cannes Film Festival. This is a fully residential programme — you must be able to live in Paris for the entire duration. Cost FREE — No application fee
Format
Feature films only. Focused entirely on development of a feature-length screenplay.
Eligibility
Non-French international filmmakers. Must have at least 1 short film selected by a Category A festival: Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, Busan, or San Sebastian. Maximum one previous feature film.
What You Get
Fully funded 4.5-month stay in a Paris apartment. Monthly financial support for living
What to Submit
Registration form through the official Cinema de Demain website 'My Account' portal. Full rules on the website.
Insider Tips
To be eligible, you need a short film that screened at one of the listed Category A festivals. If you do not yet have this, focus on building your short film track record and submitting to FESPACO, Durban International Film Festival, Busan, and Locarno — all of which can serve as stepping stones to this residency.
Watch for the 52nd session call to open in March/April 2026 at cinemadedemain.festival-cannes.com GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. PART TWO CO-PRODUCTION FUNDS & INTERNATIONAL GRANTS 5 funds that provide cash grants directly to African filmmakers and co-productions — no relocation required HOW CO-PRODUCTION FUNDING WORKS FOR AFRICANS: Most people assume international film funds only support people who live in those countries. That is not true. Several major funds are specifically designed to support films FROM Africa — meaning the director or writer must be African, but the money comes from Europe, North America, or elsewhere. The key mechanism is a co- production: your African project partners with a producer in another country, and that foreign producer accesses their country's film fund on your behalf. Importantly, the WCF and Hot Docs-Blue Ice Docs Fund also support African writers based in Africa DIRECTLY — no foreign partner required.
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