Cannes’ Fantastic Pavilion Expands Global Genre Ambitions Amid Growing Attendance, Honors Xavier Gens With Key Award (EXCLUSIVE)

George Jiglea

The Fantastic Pavilion is cementing its position as a leading global hub for genre cinema at Cannes’s Marché du Film , where it returns this year for its fourth edition with an expanded slate of industry initiatives, international partnerships and market-driven programming. Following its strongest edition to date in 2025 — which drew nearly 4,000 visitors and hosted 23 business deals across production, sales and distribution sectors — the Pavilion is doubling down on its role as a convergence