The Marché du Film is preparing for its 2026 edition, running from May 12-20, with a focus on innovation and solidifying its position as a central hub for the film industry. Organizers announced several new initiatives on Thursday designed to “reaffirm” the market’s role in converging creativity, technology, and film.

First Creator Economy Summit

This year’s Marché du Film will host its inaugural Creator Economy Summit. The summit will explore the intersection of traditional cinema and the growing ‘creator economy.’ It will cover adapting digital IP for film, identifying emerging talent, and innovative marketing strategies.

Expanded AI Focus

The AI for Talent Summit returns for a second year in an “enhanced edition” held over two mornings, May 15 and 16. This event, by invitation only for top executives from the film and tech sectors, will explore real-world applications of AI in creative and business processes.

AI Summit Themes

  • Integrating AI into production workflows
  • The ethical and responsible use of AI
  • Education on AI applications

Virtual Production Innovation

Attendees can expect hands-on virtual production demonstrations utilizing what organizers are calling “the largest virtual production stage ever presented at a film market.” This will serve as the main hub for Cannes Next, the Marché du Film’s innovation-focused program.

Immersive Experiences

The Immersive Competition and Market will also return, expanding to the Carlton Hotel and introducing a new demo space. The Festival de Cannes’ Immersive Competition will feature a new format designed for shared audience experiences, accommodating 80 to 225 participants.

Cinando Platform Enhancements

The Marché du Film Online platform will fully migrate to Cinando’s rebuilt system, now operating as Marché du Film by Cinando. This unified platform will integrate online screenings, conference videos, and networking tools.

“We advocate innovation that serves both artistic creativity and the growth of the industry as a whole,” said Marché du Film executive director Guillaume Esmiol. “At the Marché, we are dedicated to supporting and driving innovation.”