Happy Monday, Creative Army!

If you weren’t able to make it to Cannes this year, don’t worry, we’re bringing Cannes to you.

As many of you know, Stage 32 has proudly partnered with the Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival for ten incredible years, and this year was one of our biggest yet. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing exclusive recordings of our 2025 Cannes expert panels right here on the Stage 32 blog, so you can tap into the insights, strategies, and connections that were shared live on the Croisette—no passport required.

Today, I’m excited to kick things off with a panel that truly reflects what’s happening right now in the global production landscape.

Stage 32 Presents: From Local Crews to Global Screens – Navigating the Filmmaking Boom

Recorded live at the FilmUSA Pavilion on May 14th, 2025

The filmmaking world is expanding in bold new directions. From regional film commissions to internationally backed productions, we’re seeing a massive shift in where and how movies are being made—and how local crews and resources are shaping global hits. This panel dives deep into how creatives can tap into this momentum.

Featuring:

Moderator:

• Martin Petrov – Festival Director, IFFG

Panelists:

• Katie Pryor – Co-Founder of FilmUSA and Baton Rouge Film Commissioner
• Lauren Simpson – Producer, Founder of Iris Arc, President of Women in Film & Television Victoria, and WIFTI Board Member
• Krassimira Belev – Producer & Actress, First Draft Productions
• Richard Botto – CEO of Stage 32

Whether you’re developing your next feature or trying to figure out where to shoot your first short, this conversation will help you better understand how to align your project with the international filmmaking boom—and why strategic local partnerships are more important than ever.

Watch the full panel recording below and join the conversation in the comments. Let us know: what location are you eyeing for your next production, and why?

If you missed our recap of Stage 32’s incredible presence at Cannes 2025—including our new education partnership with Women in Film & Television International and our unforgettable pop-up at Brown Sugar- you can read that post by clicking HERE.

We’ll be releasing more panels in the coming weeks, so keep checking back for more exclusive access to Cannes.

Wishing you a productive, passionate, and global start to the week.

Cheers,

RB

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