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Cannes’ Critics’ Week Reveals Lineup of Armenian Filmmakers Taking Part in Next Step Studio Program (EXCLUSIVE)
Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week has announced the four Armenian filmmakers taking part in next year's Next Step Studio programme, which is focused on Armenia. Armik Israyelyan, Raffi Movsisyan, Sona Khachatryan and Naira Sargsyan will each be paired with an international filmmaker to develop and shoot a short film, giving emerging Armenian talent exposure at one of world cinema's most prestigious platforms.
The films will be shot in Yerevan in March 2027, made in the Armenian language with fully Armenian cast and crew, and will premiere at Critics' Week in Cannes in 2027. The initiative is backed by Armenia's Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The four directors bring varied backgrounds spanning film festivals, television, academia and civil society work, including experience at the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival, the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies and various Armenian-Turkish cultural projects.
In short
- Cannes' Critics' Week names four Armenian filmmakers for 2027 Next Step Studio programme
- Each paired with an international director to make a short film
- Films shot in Yerevan, March 2027, premiering at Cannes 2027
Explained simply
Critics' Week is a prestigious annual showcase at the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to discovering emerging talent and innovative cinema. It has been a significant platform for filmmakers from around the world to gain international recognition.
The Next Step Studio is a mentorship and production programme pairing emerging directors with experienced international filmmakers to develop and produce short films. Four Armenian directors have been selected for the 2027 edition, which focuses specifically on supporting Armenian cinema.
This programme provides Armenian filmmakers with mentorship and access to one of cinema's most prestigious international platforms. All films are produced in Armenia in the Armenian language, with Armenian crew and cast.
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