Description:
This May director and photographer Mark de Paola and the dePAOLA Pictures team will return to the Cannes Film Festival and the Marche du Film in partnership with Leica Akademie USA to offer an unforgettable program capturing iconic portraits and experiencing the independent film industry. An intimate group of only five students will be invited to attend this 4.5-day portraiture masterclass from May 18-22, 2026. Students will work with Mark photographing actor and artist Ema McKie, the star of A Stab At Heaven, as well as other talent, in Cannes and Antibes with the festival energy and environment as your iconic backdrop.
Stroll along the iconic Croissette capturing portraits with Mark and Ema as many of the most iconic artists and actors have in cinema history, photograph on the tranquil beach of Antibes away from the hustle and bustle, witness the red carpet LIVE as talent ascends to the Lumiere Theatre, photograph the festival attendees as they walk Cannes in their lavish gowns to their screenings, gather for a group lunch in Cannes at the center of industry, and soak in the incredible creative energy that is the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition, attendees will receive a credential from dePAOLA Pictures to attend the Marche du Film, the Cannes Film Festival film market which becomes the center of the film business from development to distribution. The Marche du Film pass will also grant access for participants to sign up and register to attend the film festival screenings as they become available online at the various venues around Cannes. In addition, this pass is valid for the entirety of the duration of the festival, so participants can attend the market and screenings before and after the main Leica Akademie program as they desire.
Collaborator Ema McKie Biography
Ema McKie grew up between Colorado and New England with her parents. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Ema took the fashion world by storm modeling for some of the worlds’ greatest fashion houses and publications, including Chanel Beauty and Dior. She quickly gained global agency representation in London, Paris, Milan, New York City, and Los Angeles.
In addition, Ema’s fine art work immediately took notice by LA’s galleries and museums and her work has since exhibited globally. Her work is also frequently acquired for collections both public and private.
Ema has spent the past 5 years writing and starring in feature film A Stab at Heaven with long time collaborator Mark de Paola and is now in development on a new feature project wtith de Paola to be announced soon.
Notable Credits: Dior, CHANEL, L’Officiel Italia, Purple Magazine.
Agenda:
Monday, May 18, 2026
10AM-12PM - Lecture and Student Introductions (Antibes)
12PM-1:30PM - Lunch on the beach (Antibes)
1:30PM-2PM - Car Transfer to Cannes
2PM-5PM - Shoot in Cannes + Intro to Marche du Film
Tuesday, May 19, 2025
10AM-12PM - Shoot in Antibes (beach)
12PM-2PM - Lunch in Cannes
2PM-5PM - Shoot in Cannes
Wednesday, May 20, 2025
Morning: Attend Marche du Film
2:00PM-7:00PM - Shoot in Cannes
7:00PM - Group Dinner in Cannes
Thursday, May 21, 2025
Morning: Attend Marche du Film
1:30PM-4PM - Shoot in Cannes
4PM-4:30PM - Transfer to Antibes
4:30PM-6:30PM - Group Review and Discussion
7:30PM - Group Dinner in Antibes
10:00PM - WRAP
Friday, May 22, 2025
9:00AM - Farewell Coffee + Pastries
What To Expect:
May in the south of France is stunningly beautiful and breezy. Expect sunny days in the 70s, light breezes, a possible jacket in the mornings and evenings, and crisp ocean air. In case of rain, bring a small umbrella. For wardrobe, the overall look of the town is casual chic. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be on your feet for all shooting portions and we will likely be walking 2-3 miles each day. The streets of Cannes are filled with everyone from the film industry including talent, crew, agents, distributors, studio heads, and everyone in between. The energy is alive, creative, and bustling.
Details & Locations:
Location: TBA - New York, NY
Participants: 12 people
Duration: 3 Days
Activity Level: High
What’s Included:
- Individualized instruction and mentorship by Mark de Paola
- Shoot production
- Talent and shoot teams
- Car transfers during the masterclass
-
- 1 meal/day
- A pass with dePAOLA Picture to the Marche du Film market. This pass also allows participants access to the Cannes Film Festival screenings (subject to availability and each participants own registration for these events as tickets become available at a particular time days before each screening).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
All flights, transportation, airport transfers, accommodations, and 2 meals/day.
SPOUSE RATE
Spouses may attend for an additional fee of $1000.00 upon application acceptance.
How To Register
- Submit your application to info@depaolapictures.com by April 1, 2026
- A brief statement as to why you would like to attend this course
- A sample of your current work (5-10 images)
- Upon acceptance, receive and pay your tuition invoice within 5 days of receipt.
Travel Recommendations
We recommend flying into Nice, France International Airport. Cannes and Antibes are a short taxi or Uber away (30-45 mins depending). If you can get a reservation for a hotel in Cannes, that's great, however many will be sold out or very high in price. We recommend reserving an Airbnb in Cannes or Antibes. There are also several hotels in Antibes (25 mins from Cannes) including the AC Marriott, 1932 Cap d'Antibes, Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, and many others. Some prefer to stay in Cannes for the alive energy, while others prefer to stay in Antibes for evenings of tranquility between the busy days. Nice is another option for accommodations, however Nice is a nearly 1 hour commute to Cannes. Reserve your accommodations as early as possible. Uber is very popular and easy to use for transfers between towns.
Application requirements:
- Why you are taking this course
- A brief selection from your portfolio. A website link, instagram link, PDF, or Dropbox link are preferred.
Please note that student flights to/from New York City, airport transfers, and accommodations are not included in tuition and must be arranged for individually by each student.
AT-A-GLANCE
-
Dates
Book Now