Learn from a producer behind Cannes-winning films and festival hits!

Receive a sample co-production budget, and a sample pitch deck!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

Securing a spot at a top-tier festival like Cannes, Sundance, Venice, or Berlin can be the ultimate game-changer for your film. Festivals not only provide unparalleled visibility but also open doors to sales, distribution deals, and career-defining opportunities. But with thousands of films vying for attention, how do you create a project that stands out? What are festival programmers really looking for, and how can you craft a film that resonates on a global stage? This exclusive Stage 32 webinar will give you the insider knowledge to navigate the international festival circuit, develop a compelling and unique project, and position your film for success!

Too often, filmmakers play it safe, focusing on marketability over originality. But festivals are searching for bold, risk-taking storytelling—the kind that pushes creative boundaries and introduces fresh perspectives. Many U.S. films rely on private equity, which prioritizes commercial viability over artistic innovation, while international co-productions often benefit from public funding that allows for greater creative freedom. Understanding how to position your film for festivals, attract the right collaborators, and build a package that sells is key to making an impact on the global stage.

Your educator Catherine Boily has worked with Metafilms since 2015 and has produced multiple internationally acclaimed films. She was the Line Producer for UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, which won the Cannes 2024 Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award and was shortlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards. She has collaborated with major players like Mubi and The Match Factory and has worked with renowned directors such as Karim Aïnouz on ROSEBUSHPRUNING starring Pamela Anderson, Elle Fanning and Riley Keough and Paul Schrader on THE CARD COUNTER. Catherine will be joined by award-winning producer Sylvain Corbeil, founder of Metafilms, who has a proven track record of producing festival hits. Together, they will share firsthand knowledge on how to develop a film that captures the attention of the most prestigious festivals in the world.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to navigate the international festival circuit, craft a unique and compelling story, and package your film for success. You’ll gain insight into what festival programmers look for, the importance of co-productions, and how to build relationships that open doors to distribution and sales. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with an actionable plan to get your film on the radar of top festivals and maximize its international potential!

If you’re ready to take your film to the global stage and maximize its potential, this is the webinar for you!

PLUS! You will receive the following handouts to help you:

• Sample of an International Co-Production Budget
• Sample Pitch Deck for The Stolen Child

Understanding The Festival Landscape

• Researching  the Key Festivals

• The Personality and Mandates of Cannes, Sundance, Venice, Berlin, etc.

• Getting familiar with the unique programs within each festival

Crafting a Strong, Unique Story

• The balance of Universal Themes with Local Flavor

• A Focus on Originality and Freshness

Finding the right collaborators

• The benefits of International Co-Productions

• Accessing your Partners value

• Top 5 places to meet the right Partners

• Best Practices to work markets and festivals to find partners

• Creating a Strong Team

• The Value of Sales Agents or Producers with Festival Connections

Building The Right Package

• The importance of attaching director first

• Attaching meaningful cast

• The pitch deck and script

Creating A Timeline That Works

• The typical coproduction timeline

• The best timing to approach directors, coproducers, distributors, sales agents etc.

Staying Persistent And Authentic

• Staying true to your vision and authenticity

• Playing the long game 

Festival Strategy

• Your Submission Strategy

• The value of the World Premier

• Building relationships with festivals and programmers

• Getting a festivals attention

• The importance of a Compelling Press Kit

• Social Media and Online Presence

Q&A With Catherine And Sylvain

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.

This webinar is designed for filmmakers, producers, and writers at all levels.