The Residence: devote yourself to writing

12 directors each year are invited to write their screenplay in Paris

The device makes available to them a place of residence in the heart of Paris, a personalized programme accompanying the writing of their scripts, and a collective programme of forums with film industry professionals.

Since it launched in 2000, the Résidence has welcomed over 270 filmmakers from more than 60 different countries, including Lucrecia Martel (Argentina), Lukas Dhont (Belgium), Corneliu Porumboiu (Romania), László Némes and Kornel Mundruczó (Hungary), and more.

Many of the graduates from this ‘Villa Médici’ of the silver screen have gone on to be selected for international festivals: Nadav Lapid from Israel (Synonyms, Golden Bear 2019), Nadine Labaki from Lebanon (Capharnaüm, César and Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film 2019) and Michel Franco from Mexico (New Order, Grand Jury Prize at the Mostra 2020).

The Residence offers its laureates the opportunity of devoting themselves to the writing of their feature films in a privileged setting in the heart of Paris. Over the four and a half months of their stay at the Residence, every filmmaker is accompanied in the development of his or her script, and advised in the transition to production. The programme also includes a series of collective forums with industry professionals.

The individual programme

The Residence provides continuous follow-up during the writing of the directors’ scripts.

A presentation booklet of each project is offered to producers and distributors at appointments set up within the framework of various festivals: Rotterdam (Cinemart), Locarno (Open Doors), and, of course, Cannes.

The directors can likewise pursue the writing of their scripts at the Moulin d’Andé, with whom agreement has been made for a complementary stay.

The collective programme

In complement to individual follow-up, the Residence organises a collective programme of forums with directors, professionals and representatives of cinema institutions.

These forums help the directors gain deeper insight into coproduction systems both in France and Europe.

The first sessions demonstrated the importance of sharing experience between young directors. The Residence increases the opportunity for encounters and exchanges during their stay: going to cinemas, visiting Paris’ heritage sites and participating in festivals, all go to enrich these exchanges.

Following their stay, the Residence prolongs its proactive work with directors, from assistance with translation of their script in French and to advice as concerns production.

The 12 directors from the two sessions of the year present their projects at the CNC pavilion in Cannes. The directors give 10-minute presentations of the films they developed at the Residence to an audience of professionals and a jury composed of three film industry personalities. At the conclusion of the presentations, the CNC awards one director from each session a €5,000 grant, based on the project that most inspires the jury.

The Cinef & Résidence offices are a hub for all directors (Selection, Residence and Workshop participants). This space is where directors can meet and schedule private meetings with potential producers: a follow-up appointment after an initial meeting in Rotterdam for autumn session participants, or introductions for spring session participants.

Residents are invited to take part in the Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde and are often sought after for debates and round-table discussions. Meetings with institutions such as ACE, Le CECI, JERUSALEM FILM LAB, etc. are held for both sessions.