Panama Film, led by Austrian producers Lixi Frank and David Bohun, is making waves at Cannes 2026 with two entries, epitomizing their focus on auteur-driven cinema.
Success at International Festivals
Founded in Vienna in 2018, Panama Film has seen a steady rise with festival hits. Sebastian Brameshuber's Movements of a Nearby Mountain won the Grand Prix at Cinéma du Réel 2019, while Sandra Wollner's The Trouble With Being Born collected accolades at Berlin and the Austrian Film Awards. In recent years, Stams premiered in Berlin, The Universal Theory in Venice, and Bluish won at FID Marseille.
Cannes 2026 Entries
This year, Panama Film showcases Wollner's Everytime in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section and co-produces Valeska Grisebach's The Dreamed Adventure in the competition. Frank is also featured in European Film Promotion's Producers on the Move, recognizing rising talent.
Founders' Vision and Approach
Frank and Bohun met through shared admiration of each other's work at the Filmakademie Wien. They bonded over a mutual interest in creating films that challenge and provoke audiences. Bohun describes their collaboration as "business love at first sight." The name Panama was inspired by the children's book The Trip to Panama, symbolizing cinema as a place of longing.
Frank emphasizes their focus on directors' visions rather than scripts, aiming to provide creative freedom while maintaining a close collaborative process. They seek films that offer a unique perspective and provoke thought.
Upcoming Projects
Panama Film's slate includes Patric Chiha's Ice Cream, exploring teenage love and identity, and Simon Maria Kubiena's The Flowering of a Chimera. They are also developing Alexandra Makarová's period piece Fanny Is Alive, set in post-war Vienna. Frank and Bohun express enthusiasm for working with directors worldwide.
Despite financial challenges due to cuts in Austrian film funding, Panama Film continues to thrive, leveraging past successes to secure future projects. The company remains optimistic about the government's upcoming Investment Obligation to support the industry.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/panama-film-interview-cannes-2026-auteur-cinema-longing-1236577889/
