May 9-25, 2009 | Cannes, France

 Since 1989, The American Pavilion has been the focus of the U.S. film industry's presence at the Cannes International Film Festival. Serving as a communications and hospitality center for journalists, publicists, celebrities, filmmakers and motion picture executives working at the Festival, The Pavilion is centrally located on the beach beside the Palais des Festivals (the main Festival venue for screenings and special events) and the Marché du Film, the Cannes Film Market, which boasts 2,612 companies from 74 countries.

For the past 20 years, The American Pavilion has offered film students the chance to participate in its Student Program, an internship/educational program that takes place at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Students who are accepted stay in Cannes for the duration of the Festival (May 13th to 24th, 2009. The Program itself runs from May 9th to 25th), completing a work placement and participating in educational workshops, seminars, pitch sessions, roundtable discussions and screenings.

Past roundtable discussions have featured noted filmmakers such as Stephen Frears, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Jude Law, Michael Moore, and Brett Ratner. Each Program participant (approximately 150 per year) is allowed access to the Festival and Film Market— otherwise available only to industry professionals.

Prior to the start of the Festival, students participate in a four-day Festival orientation and tour of Cannes. During this time students attend workshops and seminars designed to help them gain a greater understanding of the business side of the film industry. Once the Festival begins, students start their six-hours-per-day work placements with The American Pavilion (which can include the restaurant, bar, coffee bar, conference center and business center), with one of our sponsors, or with other companies doing business at the Festival. All students have the opportunity to meet and interact with industry professionals, observing firsthand the fast-paced nature of the Festival and Market.

This internship/educational program is unique and highly competitive, and Early Decision applicants have an increased chance of acceptance. Early Decision applicants also have the option of paying the program fee in two installments instead of one.

Building on the success of the previous 20 years, The American Pavilion looks forward to offering students selected for the 2009 Program a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the most prestigious film festival in the world.

 

In 2007, 146 students from 66 schools and seven countries interacted with established
filmmakers and other industry professionals.

 

Profile of a Qualified Applicant

Demonstrable interest in pursuing a career in film and/or the entertainment industry

Ability to collaborate with other students and staff in a fast-paced,
high-pressure environment

Strong work ethic and positive attitude

Commitment to participate in a challenging work-study program

Maturity, flexibility and an outgoing personality

Program Benefits

Four-day pre-Festival orientation and tour of Cannes, including workshops and seminars on the business of filmmaking

Internship/Educational placement opportunity

Opportunity to attend Festival screenings based on ticket availability

Roundtable discussions with industry professionals such as  Stephen Frears, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Jude Law, Michael Moore, and Brett Ratner, open only to program participants

Opportunity to screen student films to fellow program participants and guests

An unparalleled opportunity to network with industry insiders and observe the business of filmmaking firsthand

Program Provisions

16 nights of shared accommodation with three to four other participants in a European-style residence apartment (a 20 minute drive from the Festival)

Daily continental breakfast

Official 2009 Cannes International Film Festival accreditation, otherwise available only to industry professionals

Exclusive use of the SAGIndie Student Union, a business and hospitality center designed for Program participants

flight/TRAVEL arrangements

If accepted to the Program, students are responsible for travel arrangements to and
from France

PROGRAM FEE

$2995

Application Guidelines

The AmPav application process has two stages. The first is submission of the materials listed below by one of the two deadlines; the second is a phone interview. If an applicant is selected for the second stage, he or she will be contacted by The American Pavilion to schedule the interview.

The American Pavilion Selection Committee operates on a rolling admissions system between the date applications are made available and the General Application deadline. Under this system, Early Decision applicants have an increased chance of acceptance. They also have the option of paying the program fee in two installments instead of one.

 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Submission of complete application by one of the two deadlines,
including $50 non-refundable application fee

If selected for the second stage of the application process, participation in a
phone interview

If accepted, payment of the $2995 non-refundable Program fee within two weeks
of acceptance

If accepted to the Program, responsibility for travel arrangements to and from
the destination

Completion of six-hour-per-day internship/educational assignment

 

Application Process

PART I. SUBMISSIONS ONLINE

Submit the following by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page:

1. General Information Form

2. Essay questions

3. One standard passport sized headshot photo for accreditation in digital .jpg format.
Minimum dimensions: 100x140 pixels, maximum file size: 1 mb. File must be titled as applicant’s full name (ie: doe_john.jpg).

4. $50 non-refundable application fee by credit card

Payment may also be made by check or money order, made payable to The American Pavilion, and mailed to the Los Angeles office.

PART II. SUBMISSIONS BY MAIL

Submit in the following order, unstapled, in one envelope to the address below:

5. Copy of college transcript (submitted by applicant, not university)

6. Current resumé

7. Typed letter of recommendation from a professor (submitted by applicant,
not professor)

8. Typed letter of recommendation from an employer (submitted by applicant,
not employer)

9. Mail to the address below

IMPORTANT DATES

Early Application deadline: December 5, 2008

General application deadline: February 6, 2009 (postmark date) If you have any questions or need more information, please call The American Pavilion at 310.576.6545 or e-mail cannes@ampav.com.

Send mail-in submissions to

Cannes Film Program Selection Committee The American Pavilion 1526 14th Street, Suite 109 Santa Monica, CA 90404