Next Step
First step make a movie, next step build your career.
Cannes
May 13-21 .2026
The Next Step Film Festival
The Next Step Film Festival venue in Cannes for launching careers. What happens when movie magic meets the pulse of possibility? Our festival isn't just about watching films; it's about launching careers.
In the past edition of May 2025: A total of six finalists enjoyed a four-day, all-expenses-paid stay in Cannes. They were divided into two sessions: the first group of three finalists attended from May 14th to 17th, with screenings and award ceremony on the 16th, 2025 at the Hilton Hotel Cannes
while the second group joined from May 19th to 22nd with screenings and awards ceremony on the 21st, 2025 at the Hotel Martinez Cannes.
Both sessions toke place during the same period as the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival. The Finalists were our special guest!
Additionally, with our special Pass, they gained access to the Marché du Film, where they could freely explore booths and stands from production and distribution companies, TV networks, and other industry players.
This was a optimal chance to gather valuable insights and network with key industry figures, seizing golden opportunities that could shape their future.
✨ What a Day! ✨
🎥 May 16th, 2025 – In the stunning Canopy by Hilton in Cannes, we kicked off the 1st Day of Screenings & Awards for the NEXT STEP FILM FESTIVAL – Cannes 2025!
🌍 Guests from all over the world joined us to watch amazing stories on the big screen and celebrate the brilliant talent of our filmmakers – right in the heart of the global cinema scene.
🌟 SELECTED MOVIES – Group 1 🌟
🎓 WHEN EVERYTHING WAS BLUE – Christina Chironna
🎓 WE HAVE SOME NEWS – Julia Christgau
🎓 SALLY, GET THE POTATOES – Danicah Waldo
🎓 THE PRINT – Ole Stenum
🎓 CHRONOLOGY – Ricky Tyree
🎓 +33 – THE PEOPLES PIRATES
🎓 1..2…3 – Quentin Feynie, Caroline Thomas
🎓 THE HYPERMNESTIC – Julien Mouquet
🎓 DOUZE – Hannah Katharina Weissenborn
🎓 RIVER – Lap Fung Cheung
🎓 MADONNAS – Pola Mika Lara Kapuste
🏆 FINALISTS – Group 1 🏆
🥇 Sabrina Hickl – DEAR MOTHER
🥇 Jonathan Elia – DRON AMOR
🥇 Philip Wan – S!CKO
@it.s_zab @fexsei @jonathanelia.me @philipwan
✨ What a Day! ✨
🎥 May 21st, 2025 – In the stunning Hotel Martinez in Cannes, we kicked off the 2nd Day of Screenings & Awards for the NEXT STEP FILM FESTIVAL – Cannes 2025!
🌍 More than 120 guests from all over the world joined us to watch amazing stories on the big screen and celebrate the brilliant talent of our filmmakers – right in the heart of the global cinema scene.
🌟 SELECTED MOVIES – Group 2🌟
🎓 END OF STORY – Director: Adam Mackie
🎓 THE GOOSE STEP SINKS – Director: Carlo Pellegrini
🎓 ULTIMA FERMATA – Director: Dora Greco
🎓 ECHOS – Director: Lucas Fassel
🎓 TEETH – Director: Elisa Manzini
🎓 SIEGFRIED & GÜNTHER – Director: Mark Schregle
🎓 ELSEWHERE – Director: Erin Brown
🎓 UNDER THEIR GAZE – Director: Florian Aubray
🎓 JIWA KORUP – Director: Mohd Hisham Saleh
🎓 OMEGA-PHARM – Director: Ryan Mhugs
🎓 SCARLET – Director: Sabi Liebl
🎓 CASA SUSANNA – Director: Pauline Bernard-Vernay
🎓 DERNIER MOT TUNNEL – Director: Eric Camus Dulac
🎓 BLUE BLOOD – Director: Lee Hyung Ju
🎓 FELT – Director: Branislava Dragovic
✨Jury Prize ✨
🎓 THE FOX BRIDE – Director: Emi Ryusei
🎓 CASA SUSANNA – Director: Pauline Bernard-Vernay
🎓 ASHES TO ASHES – Director: Holly Dorff
🥇 Curt Samlaska - Film: FORGIVING RETRIBUTION
🥇 Eduard Rimikhanov - Film: YOU ARE SPECIAL
🥇 Ira Setiawati - Film: PLASTIC TOURISM
🏆 FINALISTS – Group 2 🏆
@forgivingretribution @adammackiedirector @adammackie15 @endofstoryshortfilm @buddahaow @dor.gre @lucas_f2sl @e.manzini @markschregle @erinbrownthomas_filmmaker @florian.aubray @mohdhishamsaleh @jiwakorup @sabiliebl @pauline_bvernay @trecolorifilms @ricokmu @branislava_dragovic
@emiryusei @pauline_bvernay @hollydorfflong
📌 Note: We are independent from the Cannes Film Festival – but we run in the same exciting days to give our filmmakers full access to the Marché du Film and countless networking opportunities.
💬 Thank you for sharing your art, passion & energy with us.
We can’t wait to see you again!
The NEXT STEP FILM FESTIVAL Team
Special thanks to our special guests @matejrimanic @jurekovac @e.lodyy @ to the President of the Jury @albrexi and to our media partner @printxl.pl @martinezhotel
“Umberto introduced me to a descendant of the original creators of the Venice Film Festival, who then gave us his number.”
- Matej Rimanic,
Cannes Film Festival x TikTok Grand Prix Winning Director
Meet Umberto: Your Seasoned Red Carpet Guide
Umberto Cavalier is the founder of Cavalier Media and the driving force behind the Next Step Film Festival. With a marketing background and a passion for cinema, Umberto is dedicated to empowering young talent and shaping the future of the industry.