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In keeping with its aims toward greater global inclusion, the Cannes Market’s initiative Shoot the Book will present its most diverse selection to date when hosting its annual pitch session on May 21.

Of the 11 publishers invited to pitch, seven come from France, two from Canada, one from Switzerland and one from Norway — and all will present their selected texts before an industry-wide cross-section of producers eager for new material.

Whittled down to 11 choices from a larger number of entries, the selected titles come courtesy of a particularly cosmopolitan jury that encompassed 10 film industry professionals from almost as many countries.

Although event organizer Nathalie Piaskowski is pleased with the lineup selected by this year’s jury — which includes Belgian filmmaker Jaco Van Dormael, Argentine producer Benjamin Domenech and Greco-American screenwriter Christina Lazaridi — she’s already looking to start afresh next year.

“The jury changes every year, and that’s important for us,...

Martin Scorsese to produce both features.

Rt Features and Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions are in Cannes touting their production and financing partnership on Danielle Lessovitz’s Port Authority and Croatian writer-director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s coming-of-age drama Murina.

Both films come out of Rt Features joint venture to champion emerging filmmakers from around the world that kicked off with Jonas Carpignano’s Cannes 2017 premiere A Ciambra.

Port Authority is a love story set in New York’s kiki ballroom scene that is set to begin shooting in New York City this August. Rodrigo Teixeira of Rt Features, Madeleine Films...

Rodrigo Teixeira’s Rt Features and Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Prods. are re-teaming to produce and finance a pair of feature debuts: Danielle Lessovitz’s “Port Authority” and Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s “Murina.”

Rt Features launched a joint venture in 2014 with Scorsese’s Sikelia Prods. in order to discover emerging talents from around the world and produce their

Rt and Sikelia Prods. had “A Ciambra” in Directors’ Fortnight last year. Other recent Rt credits include Luca Guadagnino’s Oscar-winning “Call Me By Your Name” among its recent credits.

“Port Authority” is a love story set in New York’s underground ballroom culture. The film follows Paul, a midwestern teenager, who arrives at the central bus station and quickly catches feelings for Wye, a 22 year old girl voguing on the sidewalk. When he discovers Wye is trans, crisis occurs and he is forced to confront his own identity and what it means to belong.

Cine Qua Non Lab announced call for applications for its 2012 Screenwriter’s Workshop for narrative feature films.

The lab will take place from August 12 – 26, 2012 in Michoacán, Mexico.

Cqnl is a residential 14-day workshop for screenwriters. It is held in Tzintzuntzan, a small town in the state of Michoacán, Mexico amidst the Sierra Madre Mountains, overlooking Lake Pátzcuaro.

Mexican and international filmmakers at any stage of their career, from emerging to established, including graduate students can apply. The lab will select ten participants. The workshop will be held in English.

Applications will only be accepted for feature film scripts that are ready for the revision process.

Cine Qua Non Lab will provide accommodations and meals throughout the residency, in addition to the extensive creative support through the Screenwriter’s Workshop. All participants are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from the residency.

Christina Lazaridi who will mentor the workshop...