Cannes Film Festival: an overview of the world of cinema

The cannes film festival, which starts on Tuesday, May 16, each year, opens an unparalleled window on the best of world cinema creation: exciting selection, sharp jury, sharp parallel sections, relevant diversity, restored classics, etc. On the red carpet, the events, each more seductive than the next, will surely satisfy the fans of the 7th Art during the world’s largest film festival.

The Cannes Film Festival is also a privileged moment to take stock of the state of the world of cinema, with some essential markers delivering both the pulse and the tone: presentation of the much awaited assessment of the 2022 film production produced by the National Film Centre (CNC), the operator of the Ministry of Culture that supports French cinema, places women in the world of cinema, focus on documentary...

It is in this context that Rima Abdul Malak, Minister of Culture, unveiled the 68 winners of the Grande Fabrique de l'image, a new initiative, with €350 million under the France 2030, which aims to make France one of the world leaders in film, audiovisual and digital creation, by developing film studios, special effects or training... « Our ambition is to expand the talent pool, both creative and technical, to develop the skills of the sector and to offer young people the opportunity to carry new stories to feed our imagination ” the Minister noted.

Film production stabilized

As every year, the film production balance sheet, published by the CNC, gives the pulse of French cinema. In 2022, production is marked by a return to a similar level before the health crisis NCC notes. A “ stabilizing », with 287 approved films, at the average of the last ten years.

After two years marked by the health crisis, 2022 confirmed the French dynamic: the sector invested 2.4 billion euros in production (cinema and audiovisual). The various projections confirm this: the growth of the sector will continue or even increase, the volume of cultural productions could double by 2030. The prospects are unprecedented for all those involved in creation and production.

Gender equality: a new trend, even if gender parity is still far away

For the first time, the Cannes Film Festival will feature seven female directors in competition, representing about 33% of the filmmakers in the running. Last year, five women claimed the highest distinction. An undeniable advance for the world’s largest film festival, even if parity is still far away.

A new trend, therefore, confirmed by a study by the CNC’s Gender Observatory on ' French initiative films made by women in 2022 ". " In a context of a decline in the production of French initiative films, the share of films made strictly by women has increased significantly, to 30% of French initiative films compared to 26% in 2021 (23% in 2013). Considering the mixed co-productions (made jointly by women and men), the share of films made by women reaches for the first time a third of the French initiative films approved (69 of the 208 initiative films approved in 2022) ».

Another remarkable result: in 2022, the estimates for films strictly made by women reached one of their highest levels ever recorded, at €3.7 million. « While these budgets remain well below those of films made by men, the gap in 2022 is the lowest ever recorded, at -21% (-48% in 2021 and -43% at the beginning of
decade) ». The year 2022 is also distinguished by the approval of three films over €10 million strictly made by women: Jeanne du Barry, of Maiwenn, Dog and cat, by Reem Kherici and the first film by Géraldine Danon, the Sea and beyond.

The documentary in the spotlight

Under the aegis of the ministry of culture, theYear of the documentary, launched on 6 January 2023 by Rima Abdul Malak, Minister of Culture, and organized by the CNC in partnership with the Cinémathèque du documentaire and the SCAM, is intended to highlight the richness and creativity of this genre, to promote its heritage and increase its visibility among the general public, but also to examine – in conjunction with professionals – measures designed to support its development, production and dissemination more effectively.

Among the films selected at Cannes this year, several documentaries are presented in the official selection, two of which compete: The Daughters of Olfa Kaouther Ben Hania and Youth Bing Wang. Two shocks films, which speak to us without shadow of the reality of Tunisian and Chinese societies today. To be noted: Anselm Wim Wenders, a unique cinematic experience that illuminates the work of one of today’s greatest artists, Anselm Kiefer, and reveals his fascination with myth and history.