CresCine @ Cannes

Presentation of the CresCine project results at the 78th Cannes Film Festival

May 21, 2025 | CresCine, News

At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, which took place from 13 to 24 May 2025, members of the Horizon Europa consortium of the CresCine project presented the results of research aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry, with a special emphasis on the challenges and potential of small countries.

Diverse presentations of the project results were held from 15 to 19 May 2025 as part of the industry part of the festival – Marché du Film, which was also attended by the coordinator of the CresCine IRMO section of the project, Dr. Jaka Primorac. Panels, presentations and workshops were held as part of the special Cannes Next program, which brought together industry representatives, financiers and strategists from across Europe, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and encouraging cooperation in the field of film production, distribution and innovation.

The CresCine project’s participation at the Festival began on 15 May with closed meetings within the Producers Network, where consortium leader Prof. Manuel Damasio presented key insights from the project on improving the competitiveness of the European film industry. This was followed by a roundtable discussion on sustainability practices on film sets, organised by partners from Filmby Aarhus in Denmark. On this occasion, the new CresCine Green Toolbox, designed to implement sustainable practices in film production, was presented, stimulating a discussion on green standards in the audiovisual sector. The project results were also presented on 17 May, when a panel on financing was held; in the first part of the panel participants discussed how the investment landscape for independent films, series and intellectual property is evolving, while the second part focused on how the global distribution landscape is transforming European cinema and reshaping monetisation strategies.

An important event was the panel Empowering Independent Producers to Success with AI & Innovation, which was dedicated to independent producers gathered in the CresCine Producers Club. Over 18 months, club members developed projects with the support of mentors and tools such as artificial intelligence, virtual production and innovative financial strategies. The panel facilitated an open exchange of experiences about these approaches’ real effects and limitations in practice. A closed strategic meeting Near Future Retreat was held as part of the program, which focused on long-term challenges and opportunities for European independent production. The participants could network and exchange experiences in the informal but stimulating environment of the Village Innovation space.

The highlight of the CresCine attendance in Cannes was the presentation of the second edition of the report, State of European Film – Volume 2, also held as part of the Cannes Next program. The report provides a comprehensive overview of research conducted during previous year and thus provides the latest data on European film financing, including analysis using the FIDA tool (Film Industry Data Analytics), as well as insight into the impact of new technologies, market trends, audience behavior and analysis of opportunities for strengthening sustainability and competitiveness. The latest results related to the distribution flows of films from small countries are also presented, data from qualitative research on skills and training models in the film industry, and a critical analysis of the availability of film content.

The Horizon Europe project CresCine brings together 26 partners from seven European countries, including Croatia, and aims to strengthen the audiovisual sector in small European countries through research, cooperation and the implementation of innovative tools and practices. Participation in the Cannes Film Festival, as one of the world’s most important film festivals, as part of the Marché du Film industry program, is one of the key activities for presenting research results, transferring knowledge and networking with the audiovisual community.

More information is available at: www.crescine.eu

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