Announced during the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, the award category will recognise the intersection of creativity, tech and business.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), producer of the globally known CES tech show, has announced a partnership with the Marché du Film of the Cannes Film Festival to introduce a new CES Innovation Awards category for 2026, dedicated to film production and distribution technologies. Unveiled during a Cannes Next fireside chat at the festival, the new award—titled “Filmmaking & Distribution, in partnership with Cannes Next”—will spotlight tools and technologies that enhance film creation, distribution and industry operations.
The initiative was announced by CTA CEO and Vice Chair Gary Shapiro and Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film. Shapiro discussed how AI-driven tools, immersive technologies, and hardware innovations are designed to enhance the creative process and streamline workflows in film and media production.
“This award showcases how creators in film can use tech to unlock new worlds,” said Shapiro. “We’re thrilled to partner with Cannes Next and recognise the community of innovators who are transforming the film industry as we know it.”
The new award category will celebrate a broad range of technological advancements, from audio-visual equipment and production software to streaming services and cloud-based distribution platforms. It will also recognise groundbreaking developments in generative AI for screenwriting, video and voice, as well as virtual production, VFX and next-gen content delivery methods. Judges for this category will include members of the Cannes Next community, ensuring expert evaluation from within the industry.
As with other CES Innovation Awards, the filmmaking and distribution category will be open to companies, startups, entrepreneurs and filmmakers whose innovations empower creative professionals across the film and media ecosystem. Submissions for CES 2026, including applications to judge the awards, will open in June.
“At the Marché du Film, we are committed to showcasing innovations that empower creatives, storytellers, and industry professionals, shaping the future of cinema,” added Esmiol. “The global reputation of CES Innovation Awards makes it the perfect platform to showcase new technologies that enhance artistic expression and unlock new business opportunities for the film industry.”
