SOONER is the new French streaming platform dedicated to cinema. Created from the merger of the FILMO and UNIVERSCINÉ platforms, it will, starting in February 2026, offer more than 1,300 films and series as part of its subscription package, as well as over 15,000 titles available to rent.
By joining forces, Next Step and SOONER aim to expand their support for filmmakers developing their feature films. One of the ten selected projects will receive the Next Step SOONER Prize, which entails a €2,500 grant, along with an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, where the prize will be presented.
Between December 6th to 12th, ten filmmakers whose short films were recently selected at La Semaine de la Critique have presented their first feature film project at the 12th Next Step workshop.
During a week-long workshop - first at the Moulin d’Andé and then Paris - they were guided by international consultants who have provided advice on their script, helped them assess what each script implies in terms of direction and production, as well as market release. Directors also have had the opportunity to meet composers to think about the musical world of their film. On the last day, filmmakers were allowed to present their projects to a bunch of professionals of the French film industry in order to establish contacts and build relationships for futur collaborations.
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One project will receive a writing residency
One director is offered a place at a 3 weeklong residency at the Moulin d’Andé-Céci, during which they will have three sessions with a screenwriter.
For the first time, Next Step has invited a Brazilian filmmaker, in collaboration with Projeto Paradiso, a foundation supported by the Olga Rabinovich Institute that champions talent in Brazil’s film and audiovisual industry.
Since 2022, Morelia IFF's invitation in Cannes extends to welcoming a Mexican filmmaker to the Next Step workshop.
