Cannes Critics’ Week Reveals 10 Debut Feature Filmmakers Chosen for Next Step Program

Cannes Critics Week has revealed the ten filmmakers chosen for the 12th edition of its Next Step program, designed to support directors making their first feature films after previously presenting short works in the section highlighting new cinematic talent.

Among this years selected filmmakers is France-based Irish-British director Risn Burns, whose short film Wonderwall screened at Cannes earlier this year. Her feature project, Happy Hardcore, is set in Liverpool and tells the story of a 17-year-old soldier who deserts during the Iraq war and navigates life on the run while reconnecting with his sister.

Another notable participant is Estonian filmmaker Anna Hints, known for her 2023 documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, which earned a directing award at Sundance and became Estonias first European Film Award-winning documentary, representing the country at the 96th Academy Awards. Hints debut fiction feature Black Hairy Beast explores the story of an Indian dancer living in Estonia, whose love life intertwines with local folklore and cultural tensions.

All ten filmmakers will join a week-long workshop from December 6 to 12. The program begins at the Moulin dAnd artists residence in Normandy, where participants receive guidance from international consultants on their scripts and meet composers to discuss the musical landscapes for their films. The workshop concludes in Paris with meetings with French industry professionals to present projects, network, and establish potential collaborations.

One participant will also be awarded the opportunity to take part in a residency at Moulin dAndCCI and receive the Next Step Prize, valued at 2,500 and including an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival. Since its inception in 2014, the Next Step program has supported 97 filmmakers from 39 countries, with 38 feature films subsequently produced and showcased at major festivals, including Aisha Cant Fly Away by Morad Mostafa (Un Certain Regard 2025) and The Visitor by Vytautas Katkus (Best Director at Karlovy Vary).

12th Edition Participants and Projects

• Happy Hardcore Dir. Risn Burns Synopsis: In Liverpool, 2004, 17-year-old Sean deserts his military post during the Iraq war. On the run, he reconnects with his sister while hiding from the army, confronting the violence and isolation he tried to escape.
• Marinthia Gutirrez Dir. Marinthia Gutirrez Synopsis: Late 1950s Tijuana. Young Martha Elba navigates love, family secrets, and the disintegration of her parents relationship, witnessing the loss of innocence and awakening of a new generations perspective.
• Black Hairy Beast Dir. Anna Hints Synopsis: During an Estonian folklore festival, Indian dancer Mahesh and journalist Liis fall in love. As Mahesh adapts to life in Estonia, he experiences a transformation that awakens a mythological creature within, challenging their love and societal norms.
• Story of August Dir. Robert-Jonathan Koeyers Synopsis: Over three summers, August, a spirited teenager, spends holidays with her father after her parents divorce. She uncovers family tensions while discovering her own identity and breaking generational patterns of trauma.
• Untitled Project Dir. Marie Larriv Synopsis: Brittany, 1999. Sylvia, a 68-year-old retiree facing illness, questions her doctors unconventional methods amid a storm, reflecting on trust, mortality, and the search for a miracle cure.
• lExprience Impossible Dir. Carmen Leroi Synopsis: Tho, in love with the older Eve, is sent back to 2004 in another version of himself after wishing to meet her earlier, confronting time, love, and destiny.
• Fantasma Neon Dir. Leonardo Martinelli Synopsis: In Rio de Janeiro, delivery worker Joo dreams of buying a motorbike while caring for his family. Amid workplace unrest, he reevaluates ambition, loyalty, and the personal cost of dreams.
• Saturday in Copacabana Dir. Bruno Ribeiro Synopsis: A pianist in her thirties encounters an old flame during a night out, forcing her to choose between past passions and present stability.
• Pray To The Thunder Dir. Ananth Subramaniam Synopsis: In a Malaysian town, rebellious musician Thunder challenges tradition with her punk performances, discovering mystical forces amid clashes between modernity and superstition.
• Ladrones de Cuadros Dir. Juan Pablo Villalobos Synopsis: After witnessing a murder in Mexico City, Arcadio hides at his grandmothers home in Oaxaca, navigating danger, art, and identity while pursued by a mysterious killer.

Analysis: Emerging Voices in the Cannes Critics' Week 12th Edition

The Cannes Critics' Week continues to be an essential platform for emerging filmmakers, offering them critical support as they transition from short films to their feature-length debuts. The 12th edition of the Next Step program has selected ten diverse and promising directors from around the globe, each showcasing unique narratives that blend personal stories with social or cultural issues. This year’s program underscores the global scope and the shifting cinematic perspectives that are gaining prominence in international film circles.

Among the participants, the works of Róisín Burns and Anna Hints stand out. Burns, with her gritty drama "Happy Hardcore," explores the psychological toll of war and desertion, framed against the backdrop of Liverpool's harsh realities. Hints, known for her award-winning documentary "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood," steps into fiction with "Black Hairy Beast," a tale that melds romance with folklore, reflecting Estonia's complex cultural tensions. Both filmmakers represent how personal histories, paired with bold cinematic exploration, can offer fresh narratives that resonate globally.

The selection is not only diverse in content but also in geography, with directors hailing from countries such as Ireland, Estonia, Brazil, and Malaysia. This geographic breadth enriches the program, ensuring that international stories and voices are central to the ongoing evolution of world cinema. Additionally, the chance for filmmakers to engage in workshops with international consultants and composers will no doubt foster deeper collaborations, helping to refine their scripts and cinematic visions for wider audiences.

The workshop in Normandy offers these filmmakers not only a space for script development but also an opportunity to build lasting industry connections. The inclusion of the Next Step Prize, which includes a residency and an invitation to Cannes, further solidifies the program's role as a career-launching platform. With past recipients going on to achieve significant recognition, including films showcased at major festivals, the program continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of global cinema.

Sources:

• Cannes Critics’ Week Unveils 10 First-Time Feature Filmmakers Selected For Next Step Program

Author: Ethan Caldwell
Ethan Caldwell is an experienced reporter with 10 years covering international news. He specializes in politics and economics, with strong investigative journalism and analytical writing skills.