Unlocking Capital

Strengthening connections between private capital and independent cinema!

Unlocking Capital for Investors

Key Dates: 21-23 September 2026

Access: By invitation only

Venue: San Sebastián International Film Festival

Unlocking Capital for Producers

Key Dates: 17-19 January 2027

Access: Selected participants only

Venue: WEMW (When East Meets West)

Call for Producers:

SUBMIT APPLICATION

Building on the success of the Investors Circle, launched at the Marché du Film in 2023, Unlocking Capital extends the initiative beyond Cannes through a series of dedicated labs developed in collaboration with leading film festivals and markets around the world.

Designed to strengthen the dialogue between the investment and film communities, these labs create focused opportunities for both producers and investors to better understand the business of independent cinema, explore new financing opportunities and build meaningful industry connections.

Previous editions have taken place in collaboration with When East Meets West (WEMW) in Trieste, with the program now expanding to the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Unlocking Capital Heads to San Sebastián and Trieste

Unlocking Capital for Investors
21-23 September 2026 | San Sebastián International Film Festival
For the first time, Unlocking Capital heads to San Sebastián! Held alongside San Sebastián International Film Festival‘s Creative Investors’ Conference, this new executive lab is designed for investors looking to deepen their understanding of the independent film business. A carefully selected group of participants will take part in expert-led sessions, personalized guidance and direct exchanges with leading voices from the international film industry.

Unlocking Capital for Producers
17-19 January 2027 | WEMW (When East Meets West)
In collaboration with WEMW (When East Meets West), Unlocking Capital returns to Trieste for its third edition, equipping medium-experience film producers with the knowledge and tools to successfully collaborate with private investors. Participants will explore different types of investors, the negotiation process, legal considerations, and practical case studies. The program also offers consultations with experts, helping producers better understand the opportunities and potential of private financing. (Apply now to participate as a producer by 30 October 2026.)

MEET THE 2026 LAB EXPERTS IN SAN Sebastián!

Jean des Forêts

Producer & Founder | Petit Film

Born in Paris in 1976, Jean des Forêts created Petit Film in 2010. With an ideal pace of production of one film per year, Petit Film aspires to longevity before growth. Driven by intuition, unfettered by questions of genre or budget, the company is building a limited but eclectic and palpable catalog of films for the cinema. Jean is an elected member of Unifrance Producers Commission and is EAVE network’s National Coordinator for France.

Adele Romanski

Co-Founder | Pastel

Adele Romanski is an Academy Award-winning producer of Moonlight and Co-Founder of Pastel with Barry Jenkins and Mark Ceryak. Her credits include Aftersun, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, The Underground Railroad, If Beale Street Could Talk, Mufasa: The Lion King and Eva Victor’s Sorry, Baby. Her upcoming projects include Barry Jenkins’ Alvin Ailey biopic and Be My Baby starring Zendaya.

Cécile Gaget

CEO | Carrousel Studios

As CEO of Carrousel Studios, the production & financing company founded by Omar Sy, Louis Leterrier, and Thomas Benski, Gaget oversees development, production, financing, and distribution, while building an ambitious international slate. Previously Head of Film at Wild Bunch and Head of International Production & Distribution at Gaumont, she also served as President of International Production & Distribution at Anton, where she expanded the studio’s international production & sales operations, led acquisitions, and shaped the strategy behind key titles including Greenland: Migration, Mother’s Instinct, and Vesper.

Benjamin Giniez

Partner | 111 Avocats

Benjamin Giniez is a partner at 111 Avocats, specializing in cinema, audiovisual and entertainment law. A graduate of HEC Paris and Paris II Panthéon-Assas, he advises independent producers, financiers, major studios, distributors, streaming platforms and international media companies on film financing, contracts and legal structuring, as well as on the applicable regulatory framework.