4 Days until I leave for Cannes and I am getting very excited. Just finished my last class of my college career now it’s time to pack.

Here is some information about the American Pavilion:

May 9-24, 2010 | Cannes, France

Since 1989, The American Pavilion has been the focus of the U.S. film industry’s presence at the Cannes International Film Festival. Serving as a communications and hospitality center for journalists, publicists, celebrities, filmmakers and motion picture executives working at the Festival, The Pavilion is centrally located on the beach beside the Palais des Festivals (the main Festival venue for screenings and special events) and the Marché du Film, the Cannes Film Market, which boasts 2,612 companies from 74 countries.

For the past 21 years, The American Pavilion has offered film students the chance to participate in its Student Program, an internship/educational program that takes place at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Students who are accepted stay in Cannes for the duration of the Festival (May 12th to 23rd, 2010. The Program itself runs from May 9th to 24th), completing a work placement and participating in educational workshops, seminars, pitch sessions, roundtable discussions and screenings.

Past roundtable discussions have featured noted filmmakers such as Stephen Frears, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Jude Law, Michael Moore, and Brett Ratner. Each Program participant (approximately 150 per year) is allowed access to the Festival and Film Market— otherwise available only to industry professionals.

Prior to the start of the Festival, students participate in a four-day Festival orientation and tour of Cannes. During this time students attend workshops and seminars designed to help them gain a greater understanding of the business side of the film industry. Once the Festival begins, students start their six-hours-per-day work placements with The American Pavilion (which can include the restaurant, bar, coffee bar, conference center and business center), with one of our sponsors, or with other companies doing business at the Festival. All students have the opportunity to meet and interact with industry professionals, observing firsthand the fast-paced nature of the Festival and Market.This internship/educational program is unique and highly competitive.

Building on the success of the previous 21 years, The American Pavilion looks forward to offering students selected for the 2010 Program a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the most prestigious film festival in the world.

Profile of a Qualified Applicant
Demonstrable interest in pursuing a career in film and/or the entertainment industry.
Ability to collaborate with other students and staff in a fast-paced,
high-pressure environment.
Strong work ethic and positive attitude.
Commitment to participate in a challenging work-study program.
Maturity, flexibility and an outgoing personality.

Program Benefits
Three-day pre-Festival orientation and tour of Cannes, including workshops and seminars on the business of filmmaking.
Internship/Educational placement opportunity.
Opportunity to attend Festival screenings based on ticket availability.
Roundtable discussions with industry professionals such as  Stephen Frears, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Jude Law, Michael Moore, and Brett Ratner, open only to program participants.
Opportunity to screen student films to fellow program participants and guests.
An unparalleled opportunity to network with industry insiders and observe the business of filmmaking firsthand.

Hello All, To introduce myself, I am Justin Leonard. I am about to graduate from Syracuse University in 6 days…well actually I am missing Graduation cause I’m going to THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL! I will be interning with the American Pavilion’s Student Filmmaker program. The American Pavilion is a media and hospitality hub within the International Village at the Festival. What does this mean?? I will have full accreditation at the Cannes International Film Festival and the Marché du Film (the film market).

I am graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, but my passion is in the Film/Television industry. Someday I hope to be a successful Producer in the Industry and I’m hoping the festival will allow me to network with some of the most influential people in the film/tv industry.

The program itself is 23 years old and is limited to about 100 people. I found the program on the web, but later found out they came to speak at Syracuse. The application process included essays, recommendations, and phone interviews. enough about that if you want more company info go to www.ampav.com .

I go home to Philly this friday. I’ll be packing up from my college life and going straight to packing for almost three weeks in the South of France. My flight takes off from JFK saturday and I arrive in Nice, France (30 mins from Cannes) at 8:20 am france time. Luckily I wont be traveling alone, my fraternity brother, Josh Eisenfeld will be taking part in the program as well!

I’ll be back closer to the trip.

JBL