Gentle Monster, the upcoming feature from Austrian director Marie Kreutzer, won the €20,000 ($22,500) ArteKino International Prize at the third edition of the Cannes Film Market’s Investors Circle.
Produced by Alexander Glehr and Johanna Scherz of Film AG Produktions GmbH, the project stood out among 10 international films pitched to top industry investors during the high-profile financing event.
“I’m positively surprised,” said Kreutzer after receiving the award. “Getting a film made is a long journey. That’s why support from people who believe in cinema is essential. I had great conversations with investors who showed real interest in the script and are keen to learn more.”
The Investors Circle took place at Plage des Palmes, the official beachside venue of the Cannes Film Festival. The forum highlighted 10 unrevealed projects and included industry panels followed by closed-door pitch sessions with renowned filmmakers.
This year’s lineup featured high-profile directors such as Jessica Hausner (Little Joe, Club Zero), Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman, Disobedience), Lukas Dhont (Close, Girl), and Jasmila Žbanić (Quo Vadis, Aida?).
All selected projects had budgets ranging from €3 million to €9 million and were chosen for their creative vision and commercial promise.
Aleksandra Zakharchenko, head of industry programs at the market, led the selection process alongside a jury that included ARTE France Cinéma’s Remi Burah, media entrepreneur Serge Hayat, Hubert Bals Fund’s Tamara Tatishvili, and New Europe Film Sales’ Marcin Łuczaj.
Filmmakers received legal guidance from entertainment law firm 111 Avocats ahead of private investor meetings.
“The Investors Circle is a rare and valuable platform,” said Celine Dornier, VP of financing and acquisitions at Logical Pictures Group. “It’s tailored for investors, and the projects are consistently high-caliber, led by diverse, accomplished filmmakers.”
Full List of 2025 Investors Circle Projects:
- Coward (working title), dir. Lukas Dhont (Belgium)
- Disorder, dir. Giacomo Abbruzzese (Italy)
- Gentle Monster, dir. Marie Kreutzer (Austria)
- Kamo, dir. Kornél Mundruczó (Hungary)
- Motherlove, dir. Eliza Hittman (USA)
- On Land and Sea, dir. Hlynur Pálmason (Iceland)
- Poeta Chileno, dir. Sebastián Lelio (Chile)
- Quo Vadis, Aida – The Missing Part, dir. Jasmila Žbanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- The Puma, dir. Marcela Said (France/Chile)
- Toxic, dir. Jessica Hausner (Austria)
The event continues to position Cannes as a key hub for film financing, helping bring ambitious global stories to life.
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