First Features: Launching New Talent, Finding New Voices

Working with new filmmaking talent is both an exciting adventure and a challenge. What kind of financing and production considerations do film funds need to make? How do distributors and sales agents position first films in the market? And how do festivals spotlight a debut, when hardly anyone knows the name of the director? Watch over this captivating conversation around launching new film talent in the international market.

📍 Recorded live at the UK Pavilion during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

Speakers:

MIA BAYS | Director
BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund

MALAIKA BOVA | First Feature Competition Curator
Talinn Black Nights

VIRGINIE DEVESA | Co-ceo, Sales & Acquisitions
Alpha Violet

Moderator:

CARMEN THOMPSON | Film Programmer and Head of Distribution & Special Projects
We Are Parable