CINEMANIA is proud to announce that the WeBuildChange organization has selected it to participate in the third edition of its initiative «Catalyseur de talents, differents» dedicated to the succession of francophone cinema.

It is within this context that our director Guilhem Caillard has been chosen to represent Quebec and participate in the professional activities sponsored by the organizers, on the occasion of the 73rd edition of the Cannes Film Festival. This made-to- measure program is supported by the Centre National du Cinema, UniFrance, Impact and Cartel Pop Culture Agency.

Olivier Saby, the initiative’s organizer, describes the WBC in these terms: «In light of the changes to the codes and the need to have the models evolve, the sector needs talented people who can reflect differently. We need to identify them to help them grow and give them the responsibility of promoting francophone cinema in Europe and worldwide».

On the occasion of the Cannes Film Festival, WeBuild Change wanted to put forward five individuals who care deeply about the evolution and the promotion of different models of francophone cinema as the organization considers it part of its mission to help these five talented people continue to develop their careers. On average 35 years of age, these talented individuals have already proven themselves in the francophone cinema sector and are looking to transform the models by engaging their ideas, moving the goalposts and inspiring others. For the first year, they will be associated with the five internet video creators selected within the framework of the CNC Talent program.

Cinemania was selected amongst more than fifty candidates and will have the honour of representing Quebec on the international scene. Guilhem Caillard succeeds Mara Gourd Mercado (Director of Canadian academy of cinema and television-Quebec section) who was part of the 2019 cohort.

Cinemania wishes to thank Olivier Saby for this wonderful opportunity and for its determination to continue to promote francophone culture in the world.
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Discover the talents selected for this 3rd edition:

Seraphine has been working in the film and media industry for more than 10 years, at Canal+ and at Studiocanal as a distribution programmer for France. She is a member of the World Cinema Commission of the Centre national de la cinématographie and founder of the Sanaga association, which develops education programs in remote areas of Central Africa. She is committed to help the emergence of African cinema, within the network of 18 cinemas, established in 12 countries in Africa, as director of programming and marketing of CanaOlympia.
 

After working for an artistic talent agency, a contemporary orchestra and several Parisian lawyers, Clara co-founded in 2021 the law firm CBLF Avocats, specialized in creative industries and new media. She works with actors in the film, video game, influencer marketing and immersive narratives (virtual reality, theater virtual reality, theater, escape games). She has also created two podcasts: "Besoin de rien, envie de droit" for Binge Audio, and "Protéger ses idées" for Majelan. She is particularly interested in the evolution of the creative sector under the effect of data development. 

Khir-Din grew up in Aubervilliers in Seine Saint Denis where he created the association "Hors Cadre" to develop cultural and artistic projects for the city's youth. He produced the self-financed feature film "Rue des cités", selected in 2011 at the Acid and the festival "Premiers plans" in Angers. This film led him to create the production company Nouvelle Toile with which he helps authors to emerge, and develops films that show a touching reality, at times difficult, but often time funny. After a dozen short films already produced ("Fleur de pavot", "Derrière le nuage", "Pièce rapportée"...), Khir-Din wishes to continue to "bring in through the window" those to whom cinema has not yet opened the door.

Vanessa was a production manager at Golden Moustache (M6) and at Studio Bagel. When this studio was bought by Canal+, she became executive producer of the digital creation of the channel. She is also a mentor for the program EllesFontYoutube which works to make visible women creators on the platform. In 2017, she created NINJA & Associés with her brother-in-arms Monsieur Poulpe, an independent production company for short programs, podcasts, series, feature films and documentaries. From conception to production, it develops and produces original creations, always seeking to explore new territories and create bridges.

Since 2014, Guilhem has been directing CINEMANIA, one of the most important francophone film festivals in North America. In this position, he seeks to renew the image of a modern, vibrant, plural, young, Francophonie. A francophonie open to the world, by focusing on a creative succesion more inclusive and equal gender, especially online. He created La Concorde, a unique network of events exclusively dedicated to French-language films around the world. Guilhem is also a film critic for the magazines Séquences (Quebec) and Cineuropa (Brussels). In the past, he also wrote for Panorama-cinéma and 24 Images and has also contributed to the programming of the Cinémathèque québécoise.