Six Emerging Filmmakers Selected for the 50th Residency of the Festival de Cannes
- Miami Living Team
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
Although no Miami filmmaker was selected this year, Miami Living spotlights the six talented creators chosen for the 50th Residency of the Festival de Cannes — Alica Bednáriková, Federico Luis, Maksym Nakonechnyi, Laís Santos Araújo, Baran Sarmad, and Dian Weys. From October 1, 2025, to February 15, 2026, these filmmakers will live in Paris, developing their first or second feature film projects under the guidance of industry mentors.
Baran Sarmad © RR / Federico Luis © Philipp Nemenz / Alica Bednáriková © Liza Nedayvoda / Dian Weys © RR / Laís Santos Araújo © Luciano Pedro / Maksym Nakonechnyi © RR
Created in 2000, the Residency of the Festival de Cannes supports emerging filmmakers from around the world, helping them refine their scripts and strengthen their cinematic voices. Now in its landmark 50th edition, the Residency continues its mission to nurture diversity and foster new perspectives in global cinema.
Maksym Nakonechnyi of Ukraine views the Residency as a vital opportunity to focus on his craft during wartime. A graduate of Karpenko-Kary Kyiv National University of Theater, Cinema and Television, he is known for This Rain Will Never Stop (IDFA Best First Appearance, 2020) and Butterfly Vision, which premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard in 2022.
Baran Sarmad of Iran describes the Residency as a “creative sanctuary.” The filmmaker behind Spotted Yellow (Locarno, 2019) and producer of Orthodontics (Palme d’Or nominee, 2020) is developing her debut feature, Mellow Pink.
Laís Santos Araújo from Brazil, founder of Aguda Cinema, is using her time in Paris to refine her storytelling. Her short Infantaria won the 73rd Berlinale’s Generation 14plus Special Prize, and her feature Marina, supported by the Hubert Bals Fund, is now in post-production.
Federico Luis of Argentina, whose debut feature Simón de la Montaña won the Grand Prix at La Semaine de la Critique (Cannes 2024), joins the Residency to focus on his next project, The Dog Trainer.
Alica Bednáriková from Slovakia is developing her feature debut Attention Whores. Her short Liquid Bread (2021) was selected for La Cinef at Cannes and Future Frames at Karlovy Vary.
Dian Weys of South Africa brings a strong festival track record, including Bergie (Carthage Tanit d’Argent, 2022) and Vultures (Unifrance Short Film Grand Prix, Cannes 2025).
Through mentorship, collaboration, and time dedicated to writing, these six residents embody the Festival de Cannes’ ongoing mission to cultivate the next generation of visionary filmmakers.