– The 4th edition of the training and mentorship initiative supports emerging film professionals under 30, expanding its focus on sales, distribution and cross-border industry collaboration
Top row (l-r): Maya Cherchen, Léa Harlange, Maïssane Lasga, Tamim Mukhtar and Stefano Ongaro; bottom row (l-r): Bora Tasci, Isaac Teich, Stéphanie van Sijl and Mihiret Woldeeyesus
The Marché du Film’s Cannes Makers programme is set to return for its fourth edition during the Cannes Film Festival and has announced the nine young professionals selected for its 2026 cohort. The initiative, supported by Creative Europe – MEDIA and organised by Alice Kharoubi, director of Cinema Programming at the Marché du Film, continues to position itself as a hands-on training platform aimed at shaping the next generation of international sales, distribution and marketing talent.
Designed as an immersive mentorship experience, Cannes Makers brings together emerging professionals from around the world for an intensive programme combining expert-led sessions, practical workshops, networking opportunities and direct exchanges with leading industry figures at the Marché du Film.
Several of this year’s selected participants bring experience across the areas of international sales, acquisitions, marketing and emerging industry practices. Léa Harlange works in festivals and acquisitions at Hors du Bocal, an independent sales company focused on auteur cinema. Maya Cherchen, originally from Minsk and now working in acquisitions at PLAION Pictures in Berlin, has a strong focus on distribution and festival strategy. Stefano Ongaro, currently a film marketing assistant at Alphapanda in Berlin, brings hands-on experience in international film promotion. Bora Tasci, former finance and operations coordinator at MUBI Turkey, is now co-founding a startup developing AI tools for the creative industries. Maïssane Lasga works in international sales, further reinforcing the cohort’s distribution-orientated profile. Isaac Teich works with Salaud Morisset in Paris, while Stéphanie Marie van Sijl is studying Distribution at film school and has collaborated with initiatives such as the Decolonial Film Festival. Two producers also join the cohort: Tamim Mukhtar, founder, CEO and producer of Saudi-based production outfit Thyrsos Films; and Ethiopian producer Mihiret Woldeeyesus, who rounds off the selection.
Throughout the week in Cannes, participants will gain an insight into the international circulation of films, from financing and sales strategies to distribution models and marketing approaches, while engaging in discussions around key industry topics such as diversity, inclusion, representation and sustainability.
Since its launch in 2023, Cannes Makers has steadily established itself as a targeted training ground for young professionals aiming to build careers in the international film industry, fostering both practical skill development and long-term cross-border collaboration.
The 2026 selection is as follows:
Maya Cherchen (Poland)
Léa Harlange (Belgium)
Maïssane Lasga (France)
Tamim Mukhtar (Saudi Arabia)
Stefano Ongaro (Italy)
Bora Tasci (Turkey)
Isaac Teich (USA)
Stéphanie van Sijl (Togo/France)
Mihiret Woldeeyesus (Ethiopia)
