Cate Blanchett announced the recipients of the Displacement Film Fund's second cycle at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting projects by Bao Nguyen, Mo Amer, and Annemarie Jacir.
Global Filmmakers Highlighted
In addition to Nguyen, Amer, and Jacir, Rithy Panh and Akuol de Mabior join the list of selected filmmakers. Blanchett, known for her roles in film and as a global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, initiated this fund in collaboration with the International Film Festival Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund.
The Displacement Film Fund, established in 2025, aims to support filmmakers who have been displaced or create narratives about displacement. Each selected filmmaker receives a €100,000 ($116,350) production grant, with their projects premiering at the IFFR in 2027.
Previous Cycle Success
The fund's first cycle in 2025 included filmmakers like Mohammad Rasoulof and Maryna Er Gorbach. Their projects premiered at IFFR 2026, and screenings are planned for the Tokyo International Film Festival and New York's Film Forum, qualifying them for Academy Award consideration.
Cate Blanchett expressed her enthusiasm for the impact of short films on audiences, noting the success of the first cycle and her excitement about the new grant recipients.
Selection Process
The selection involved a two-step process. A nominations committee, featuring journalist Waad Al Kateab and filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, determined a longlist. A final selection was made by a committee chaired by Blanchett, including Jonas Poher Rasmussen and Vanja Kaludjercic.
New Projects Unveiled
- Mohammed “Mo” Amer: Known for his Netflix series MO, Amer's project Return to Sender (working title) explores a Palestinian comedian facing immigration challenges.
- Annemarie Jacir: Her project Deconstruction (working title) is set in Haifa and delves into themes of memory and reinvention.
- Akuol de Mabior: Her film Traces of a Broken Line (working title) addresses the effects of war on family lineage.
- Bao Nguyen: Known for films like Be Water, his project How to Ride a Bike (working title) features a Vietnamese father confronting lifelong shame.
- Rithy Panh: His project Time… Speak (working title) reconstructs memories and explores themes of memory and loss.
Blanchett's ongoing commitment to this initiative underscores the importance of storytelling in fostering empathy and driving positive change, especially amid global challenges.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cate-blanchett-bao-nguyen-mo-amer-displacement-film-fund-1236598500/
