Inside CNC’s Aide aux Cinémas du Monde: fireside chat with Michel Plazanet

Join us for an in-depth and engaging fireside chat with Michel Plazanet, Deputy Director for International Affairs at CNC as we delve into the inner workings of one of Europe’s most influential international funding programmes for co-productions - Aide aux Cinémas du Monde.

Since its creation in 2012, Aide aux Cinémas du Monde has played a crucial role in connecting filmmakers and producers across Europe, supporting projects that combine artistic ambition with cultural diversity. The programme stands at the crossroads of cinema, diplomacy, and creative collaboration, fostering films that transcend borders while maintaining strong local identities.

To date, the programme has supported over 700 projects by directors from 113 different nationalities. And yet - despite its impressive reach - e.g. no Estonian project has ever been selected. Among the Baltic neighbours, however, Latvian, and Lithuanian producers have found more success, including Juris Kursietis from Latvia and Šarūnas Bartas from Lithuania. This conversation will seek to uncover what truly makes a project resonate with CNC’s international selectors and what lessons film producers from smaller nations like Estonia might learn to strengthen their co-production appeal.

In this exchange, Michel will offer first-hand insight into how the programme operates today - from its priorities and eligibility criteria to selection processes and strategic focus areas. He will also discuss the values that guide CNC’s international work: supporting unique voices, encouraging co-creation, ensuring that world cinema continues to thrive in a rapidly evolving global industry.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of what makes a project stand out in the selection process. How do evaluators balance artistic vision with production feasibility? What kinds of stories resonate most strongly in an international context for France? And how is CNC adapting to global challenges such as digital transformation, sustainability, but also shifting geopolitical realities? And in this changing context, could Baltic producers find stronger entry points into the programme?

The discussion will also highlight emerging trends in co-production - from new geographic alliances, like with Baltics, and evolving funding ecosystems, like streamers and private funding, to the rise of collaborative storytelling that bridges cultures.
Michel will share practical advice for producers and directors considering an application to Aide aux Cinémas du Monde, including tips on building meaningful partnerships and crafting projects that embody genuine international collaboration.

Whether you are a producer, an emerging filmmaker, or a policymaker interested in film partnerships, this fireside chat offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Europe’s most experienced voices in international film policy and funding.

The conversation will be moderated by Edith Sepp, who has long collaborated with Michel Plazanet on various international film initiatives. Their professional paths have often crossed - sometimes from very different perspectives - promising an exchange that is thought-provoking, refreshing, and insightful.