Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | The American Pavilion

I’m an international student. May I apply?

Yes. The American Pavilion welcomes international applications; we require only that applicants speak English.

I’ve already graduated from college. May I apply?

Yes; recent graduates (those who have graduated within two years of the Program dates) are welcome to apply.

Do I need a current passport to apply?

We do not require proof of a valid passport to apply, but accepted students must provide this soon after their acceptance. We highly recommend applying for a passport at the beginning of the application process; it can take up to six weeks to obtain one.

Since I have participated in the program before, can you use my original application and consider me again?

No; you will need to reapply in full.

Can I get school credit for the program?

Many students have received internship credit for the program. If you are interested in obtaining credit, you will need to speak to your school about the correct procedure.

I can’t stay for the whole program. May I come late or leave early?

No; participants must attend the entire program.

My finals conflict with the program dates. What can I do?

This is a common issue since the Cannes Film Festival always takes place in May. We recommend talking to your individual professors to come up with an alternative to sitting traditional finals (e.g., taking them early or late, writing a paper instead, getting an “incomplete” and finishing any pending projects when you return). We are also happy to write a letter confirming your acceptance or speak to any professor about the matter.

If I’m accepted and later am unable to attend, can I get a refund of the program fee?

No. Festival accreditation is nontransferable and we are allotted a limited number of badges each year, meaning that if a student drops out, his or her Festival badge cannot be used for another student.

I am not from the US. How do I get a visa to travel to France?

You will need to contact your respective government organization that handles visas as requirements vary. We are happy to assist you with this process (such as writing a letter confirming acceptance), but getting any required travel documents is entirely the participant’s responsibility.

Are deadlines dates when you need something by or dates something needs to be sent by?

All deadlines are POSTMARK deadlines. We will consider materials as having arrived by the applicable deadline if that date is on the postmark stamp from the post office.

To whom should my letters of recommendation be addressed?

They may be addressed to the Cannes Program Selection Committee (e.g., “Dear Cannes Program Selection Committee”). Remember that letters of recommendation need to be on school or company letterhead to be considered.

I don’t have a lot of film-related experience on my resumé. Will this hurt my application?

No; we are interested in non-film experience as well.

What does “passport-sized photo” mean?

It means your photographs must be:

2×2 inches in size
Identical
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Color
Full face, front view with a plain white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire

You can get official passport photos taken at FedEx Office (formerly Kinko’s) or a similar store.

Why do you need my photo to consider my application?

Passport-sized photos are not considered as part of the application. We request them so that if accepted, we can start the process of getting a participant’s Festival accreditation badge as soon as possible.

If accepted, will I get paid for my work assignment in Cannes?

No; the internships are non-paying. However, if you are in a service job (e.g., serving food or drinks), you are welcome to keep any tips you receive.

What are you looking for in an applicant?

Mature, independent, hard-working students who are interested in film,the film industry and experiencing a major international event will benefit greatly from the program. Cannes is what you make of it, so to flourish in our Program, you need to be someone who makes things happen instead of waiting for them to happen.

How is the Cannes Program related to L.A. Intensive and Venice Intensive?

L.A. Intensive, Venice Intensive, and the Cannes Student Program are all entirely separate educational programs offered by The American Pavilion. While we have had several students do two programs, acceptance to one is not a prerequisite for any other.

If I am accepted, what are the travel dates?

The program begins on May 13 and ends on May 28. You should arrive in Nice, France on May 13 (at any time) and depart on May 28. Keep in mind that most flights leaving from the U.S. will depart on May 12.

Cannes Alumni Program