By: Jen Vincent
UGA Global Education, Communications Intern
The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications offers students the ability to study abroad in one of the world’s most exclusive film festivals. Cannes Film Festival is a very prestigious event with invitations limited to industry professionals. UGA Professor in Grady’s Entertainment and Media Studies (EMST) Department, Nathaniel Kohn, made this study abroad experience possible for students. He said, “I started the program
in 2002. It grew out of the Avignon Study Abroad Program. I was teaching in that program and took about six students to the Cannes Festival as a field trip…I then wrote the proposal for the stand-alone Cannes Program.” Behind his motivation for the program was the UGA students’ ability to gain invaluable connections with these industry professionals. “The Cannes Film Festival, along with the concurrent Marché du Film (the Film Market), is one of the oldest film festivals in the world. Over 12 days, it screens hundreds of films from all over the world,” Kohn says, “I felt it was the perfect place for students to study and understand the international film business.”
UGA student and senior Entertainment and Media Studies (EMST) major from Morgan County Georgia Cory Ray learned about the study abroad program from Kohn’s Entertainment and Media Studies class. He spoke on his experience, “being able to see movies from around the world that I probably would never have otherwise. For many, being the first to ever watch them. Also network with many film industry professionals.”
Another UGA student and junior EMST major from Marietta Georgia Ava Graves, remarks on her highlights of the experience one being sitting so close to Oscar winning Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, “Seeing the “Pan’s Labyrinth” screening with del Toro sitting fifteen feet away was surreal. Watching the future cult classic “Camp Miasma” for the first time was awesome. Everyone cried a few times. I was able to shake hands with Jordan Firstman while grabbing espresso one night…I was embarrassingly starstruck, but he was so nice.”
Through the Grady Cannes Film Festival Study abroad, students have the opportunities to meet industry professionals. This year celebrities such as Elijah Wood, Kristen Stewart, and Dylan Sprouse were in attendance. Along with film industry executives like South Korean filmmaker and main competition jury president Park Chan-wook. Another jury member was Chloé Zhao, a Chinese director and 98th Academy Award nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director for her film “Hamnet.”
The official selection for the 79th edition of screenings is determined by the Artistic Director Thierry Frémaux. Out of a selection of over 2,000 feature films, only 22 were accepted. These 22 films featured a diverse representation from different parts of the world, and at the 2026 competition featured five female directors. Students who attend get the opportunity to network with these diverse backgrounds. Kohn speaks on this, “Exposing students to those films and the women and men who make them broadens the perspective of our students and encourages them to be more creative and adventurous in their own film projects. Our program goes a long way toward demystifying the film industry for our students, giving them self-confidence and a more cosmopolitan understanding of the world and how to negotiate their careers in more imaginative ways.”
Learn more about the Grady Cannes Film Festival study abroad program at https://grady.uga.edu/study-away/cannes-film-festival-study-abroad/
Dr. Nathaniel Kohn is a professor in the Entertainment and Media Studies (EMST) Department. Over his 19 years at UGA, he has also served as Associate Director of the George Foster Peabody Awards and co-directed the Cannes Lions Study Abroad Program.
When did the faculty-led program to the Cannes Film Festival begin?
I started the program in 2002. It grew out of the Avignon Study Abroad Program. I was teaching in that program and took about six students to the Cannes Festival as a field trip. I believe that was in May of 2000. I then wrote the proposal for the stand-alone Cannes Program.
What was the motivation behind creating this program?
The Cannes Film Festival, along with the concurrent Marché du Film (the Film Market), is one of the oldest film festivals in the world. Over 12 days, it screens hundreds of films from all over the world. A few of them come from the United States. Film directors, actors, producers, sales agents, executives, and other industry figures from around the world attend. The festival is limited to industry professionals only. I felt it was the perfect place for students to study and understand the international film business. I had a personal relationship with one of the people who ran the festival and persuaded him to allow me to bring 30 students to the festival. I said the students were future media professionals, and they agreed.
Why is this program important to students interested in the film industry?
Film students in the USA mostly have a narrow, Hollywood-centric view of the film industry. Students need to understand that filmmakers in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America also make films, many more powerful and creative than American films. Exposing students to those films and the women and men who make them broadens the perspective of our students and encourages them to be more creative and adventurous in their own film projects. Our program goes a long way toward demystifying the film industry for our students, giving them self-confidence and a more cosmopolitan understanding of the world and how to negotiate their careers in more imaginative ways.
Student Q&A with Cory Ray
What is your study abroad program?
I’m part of the Cannes Film Festival Study Abroad.
How did you hear about your program?
I heard about it from Professor Kohn, who I took for Entertainment Media Industries and currently am for International Film Markets here.
What are some highlights from your experience?
Being able to see movies from around the world that I probably would never have otherwise. For many being the first to ever watch them as well. Also network with many film industry professionals
Would you recommend this program to other UGA students?
Yes, I would most definitely recommend the experience. It’s been a fun time but also very helpful with how to look at films and the market around them
Student Q&A with Ava Graves
What is your major?
Hey! I’m a double major in EMST & Marketing.
What is your study abroad program?
The study abroad I’m currently doing is the Grady Cannes Film Festival Study Abroad. I heard about the program in my freshmen year through my friend in class. She’d attended it in the past and highly recommended me to check it out. I was intrigued and started to do some research on it.
What are some highlights from your experience?
There’s a million highlights I could mention. Seeing the “Pan’s Labyrinth” screening with Del Toro sitting fifteen feet away was surreal. Watching the future cult classic “Camp Miasma” for the first time was awesome. Everyone cried a few times. I was able to shake hands with Jordan Firstman while grabbing espresso one night. The day trips were so fun. I was embarrassingly starstruck, but he was so nice.
Would you recommend this program to other UGA students?
I would absolutely recommend this experience to others. It’s a lot. It’s overwhelming at first but it’s definitely worth it. You see and meet so many interesting films and people. Those two weeks will fly by.