A new industry platform for filmmakers of colour will make its debut at the Cannes Market on May 14, staking out space at one of the film world’s most influential gatherings.

The inaugural Colour Of Cannes Honours will take place at the Plage des Palmes during the Cannes Film Festival and market, according to reports. The symposium focuses on filmmakers of colour attending Cannes and arrives with a clear goal: to build visibility, recognition and connection inside a global industry that still struggles over who gets seen, funded and celebrated.

The event comes from industry veterans Deborah Riley Draper and Tiara Chesmer-Williams, who organized the launch in collaboration with the Cannes market, reports indicate. Singer and performer Estelle is set to host the gathering, while producer Crystine Zhang, known in connection with Josephine, will receive an honor. The lineup signals an effort to blend celebration with industry access, using Cannes not just as a backdrop but as a meeting point for influence.

Cannes remains a powerful gatekeeper in global cinema, and this new symposium aims to make sure filmmakers of colour claim more room inside that system.

Key Facts

  • Colour Of Cannes Honours launches May 14 at the Cannes Market.
  • The symposium centers on filmmakers of colour attending Cannes.
  • Deborah Riley Draper and Tiara Chesmer-Williams organized the event.
  • Estelle is set to host, and producer Crystine Zhang will be honored.

The timing matters. Cannes can elevate projects, careers and industry relationships in a matter of days, which makes any new forum at the market more than a symbolic addition. By creating a dedicated space during the festival’s crowded schedule, the organizers appear to be pushing for something practical as well as visible: a place where filmmakers of colour can gather, be recognized and strengthen ties in front of buyers, producers and decision-makers.

What happens next will show whether Colour Of Cannes Honours grows into a lasting fixture on the festival calendar or serves as a starting point for broader change. Either way, its arrival underscores a persistent pressure on major film institutions to widen opportunity, not just spotlight diversity for a night. If the event builds momentum, it could shape who gets heard at Cannes — and who gets the next meeting after the applause ends.