Cannes 2026: Majestic Film introduces ICAN

From Australia to Cannes, France, Majestic Film has spent almost two decades building a presence at the world’s most influential film market, bringing bold, prestige and culturally resonant cinema to the international stage. The company’s Cannes journey began in 2007, in its earliest days under the banner of the Australian Film Commission, now Screen Australia and has since found a permanent home at the prestigious festival.

Cannes 2026 marked Majestic Film’s seventh year as an official exhibitor inside the prestigious Palais des Festivals, but this year carried a significance of its own. For the first time, Majestic Film introduced ICAN — the International Croatian Artists Network — to Cannes.

Supported by Majestic Film owners Vesna Trokter, Ante Ravić and Steve Ravić leading the incorporated association, ICAN was first presented as a new platform for Croatian film content at the Majestic Film stand. The initiative was first publicly introduced at the American Film Market in November 2025, followed by Berlinale in February after it was formally registered in Australia. ICAN was created with a clear mission: to connect and bring together Croatian artists both established and aspiring from across the world and create pathways to bringing Croatian stories to global audiences.

For the Majestic team, one of the standout achievements of Cannes 2026 was the breadth of Croatian content visually showcased and supported through ICAN and Majestic Film. The Croatian Audiovisual Centre, HAVC, Croatia’s official film body were also at Cannes as part of the Southeastern European pavilion. CEO of Majestic Film and President of ICAN Steve Ravić stated: “We are not here to compete with HAVC, but rather supplement what the Republic of Croatia is already offering through HAVC, and most importantly, we are here to put a focus on both historic and Croatian content stories. Also, ICAN is not only geared towards film but intends to create similar pathways for Croatian arts and culture. We also want to put a strong emphasis on Herzegovina and parts of Bosnia historically populated by Croatians that are now often marginalized and lack the recourses and exposure. Let’s consider what we are doing to be a supplement to the positive support already being provided by Minister Zvonko Milas and the Office For Croats Living Abroad.” 

Majestic Film have already announced partnering with Novalis Studio from Zagreb, owned by Jurica Šimunković and Sounds Perfection owned by Carlo Zdenko Tolj. The partnership will now further extend to Black Bird Cinema owned by Stipe Ninčević from Solin near Split and will be seeking closer collaborations in Bosnia and Hercegovina where discussions are already underway.

Majestic cinematic pieces headlined by the iconic powerhouses Billich and Thompson 

Billich 90

Among the in-house titles produced by Majestic Film are the now completed feature documentary Billich 90 exhibiting a mystifying palette of colours that set the stage for a backdrop of dark intrigue as filmmaker friend Steve Ravić helps his artist friend Charles Billich disentangle a web of deceit. The ageless visionary Billich defies the realms of time; at 90, edging ever so closer in his pursuit of justice in a quest to paint the portrait of his legacy. This is a follow up to the documentary Billich: Beyond The Canvas available in most parts of the world through Apple TV and Tubi among other streaming platforms and in lead up to the biopic movie My Way.

My Way

Steve Ravić’s passion project My Way is on track to begin principal photography later this year. After several years of complex research, the completion of two feature documentaries, serious investigations and considerable personal risk leading to a final script penned by Ravic himself, the project is ready to move forward once all the paperwork and bureaucratic process is completed with the new co-production partners from the United Kingdom.

Ravić said: “I’m itching to get this started. I have put a great portion of my life and energy into this major film project, with an ambition to tell the real-life story of Charles Billich, who, in my humble opinion, is the greatest surrealist of all time and an imperative part of the story of the Croatian diaspora being that he escaped Yugoslav communist tyranny after spending two years in political prison. This project was always going to be a huge challenge and very demanding because the standards are set very high. It is not a film that can be cheated with shorts cut, resources or the care it deserves. It needs to be done with great care, and it has required years of research and danger-ridden investigations. This is about the Billich legacy, and the film itself will also mark my own legacy and the legacy of persecuted Croatians driven out of their homeland by the regime of Tito’s Yugoslavia. I am very content that we have come this far, and now we are ready to take that next step in creating a true legacy piece.”

Faith and Patriotism

There was no chance to miss Steve Ravic’s famous photo of Marko Perković Thompson in full display at Cannes this year to represent the documentary film Faith and Patriotism. A short teaser trailer was also launched at the Cannes Market for the near-completed documentary project celebrating the story of Croatian resilience and passion through the people and the songs of Marko Perković Thompson. Produced by Majestic Film together with Morrell Films, parts of the feature documentary were filmed during the record-breaking world’s biggest concert on July 5, 2025. If you don’t know what happened, this story will share with you the inner soul of the Croatian identity through a celebration that transcends the essence of profound love for the homeland. Marko Perković Thompson unites generations through songs of love, faith and patriotism grounded in respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to preserving the identity and culture of a beautiful nation whose heartbeat has endured generations of persecution. The story of Faith and Patriotism is told by the people themselves from different parts of Croatia and through the patriotic colors and sounds of Marko Perković Thompson. According to the team, we can expect a premiere in the coming months and a release some time this year.

Cooked With Love by VUtopia

The suspense thriller Cooked With Love is by VUtopia, a film by Bruno Bilandžija from Vukovar, is in the final stages of post-production, with the sound mix currently being completed under the expert ear of Majestic Film associate Carlo Zdenko Tolj of Soundsperfection who has committed to putting the final touches to a promising film project.

Ravić noted: “I was extremely impressed by the work being created by Bruno Bilandžija and his right-hand man, Ivica Perić, and I immediately offered to provide them with a support channel through ICAN and Majestic Film at the film markets. It’s especially intriguing that Cooked With Love is a feature film made in Vukovar, with a truly unique story and a number of twists that will hold the audience’s attention until the very end. It has been produced to a high standard, which is especially impressive considering its modest budget, so we offered to sponsor them with full support at the markets and my colleague Carlo Zdenko Tolj signed on to polish the sound, and I am really looking forward to watching the final version in several weeks. The positive news is that we already have several companies considering worldwide distribution.”

In addition to the three new titles, Majestic Film also presented multiple projects that are in development, including the two previously announced titles: The Ink Covenant and The Last Queen.

The Ink Covenant

Vesna Trokter calls The Ink Covenant her baby. The story is inspired by and centered on the centuries-old tradition of ‘sicanje’ tattooing among Croatian women as a form of protection during the Ottoman invasions. The film will follow a young woman who travels from Australia to Croatia and Hercegovina to explore her ancestry where she inherits a sacred ink mark — not merely a decoration, but a covenant: a vow etched into her skin and passed down through generations.

When she uncovers what lies behind closed doors, she discovers a secret network of women who fight not with noise, but with quiet resolve — through coded errands, protected loyalties and unyielding courage. She must decide whether to leave, or embrace what her covenant expects of her: to protect the next generation. The film is aimed at global audiences and will involve international co-productions spearheaded by Majestic Film.

The Last Queen

The motivation behind The Last Queen comes from a story that has been lingering in the background for years, waiting for the right co-production partnerships and the right level of care. Vesna Trokter added: “This is a project that will need to be nurtured. It must be developed and managed in great detail, and be developed in association with the right institutions, in order to best portray the story of Queen Katarina. We already have American co-production partners that are very enthusiastic, pending confirmation of secure co-production protections in the region. We plan to secure co-production partners for this project over the coming months for in depth development and pre-production. Since our announcement last year and our first formal pitch presentation at the American Film Market last November, it has since been scripted, however, we believe further script development — including lengthy meetings with church leaders and organizations — will be essential before the final draft is penned. The plan is to tell this story in English for a global-audiences.”

Diva Perković Shines at Cannes

ICAN is intended to be a platform dedicated to connecting, supporting and showcasing Croatian films, filmmakers and talent especially at Cannes being the glamorous capital of world cinema.

This year’s special guest, hosted by Majestic Film, was emerging 19-year-old Croatian actress Diva Perković. Ravić stated: “I’m happy to have been the one to discover Diva and I have now introduced her to some very high-ranking film industry veterans, to which she responded professionally and truly shined with her presentation and networking abilities, managing to attract a significant amount of interest at Cannes, with some roles already in the process of being discussed”.

In addition to being a part of Majestic Film, Diva Perković also had the experience of spending time on the red carpet as part of ABC (Australia) thanks to long-time friend of Majestic Film, John Doggett-Williams.

Diva remarked: “I am very excited to be here in Cannes, thanks to Steve, and I am motivated for future projects.” Deeply inspired by her Cannes experience, Diva is already rumored to be returning to Cannes next year as part of the Majestic Film team.

Bobby Boško Grubić

American-Croatian filmmaker Bobby Boško Grubić also visited Majestic Film and the new base for Croatian-content filmmakers.

In addition to a wealth of credits, Bobby is known for his recent short film Lonely (Samoća), written by Miro Gavran. The duo now aim to produce a historical series to be called The Conspirators (Urotnici), based on Zrinski and Frankopan — another promising project to watch out for, and one with the potential to become a true screen spectacle.

Arsen Anton Ostojić

Steve Ravić also briefly met with Arsen Anton Ostojić, congratulating him on his new animated feature The Crystal Planet, which features the voices of Jeremy Irons, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York.

Fernando Figueredo Maričević

With ancestral roots from Lastovo, Croatia, Paraguayan-born Fernando Figueredo Maričević also visited the Majestic Film stand to present his fully scripted film concept, now in development.

The Kuzma Vineyard will be a drama about love and betrayal. Fernando was thrilled to be hosted with champagne by Majestic Film and to meet the team and its broader network of industry colleagues, calling the experience the “highlight of my visit to Cannes.”

A Majestic support engine for both Australian and Croatian filmmakers and films

Ravić stated: “Our ambition is to bring Croatian creators together at Cannes: to offer them a place to network from, and to provide meaningful support and guidance. During the Howard Government era, the Australian Film Commission, now Screen Australia, offered a Cannes Bootcamp for new attendees and for mine and Vesna’s very first Cannes in 2007. That experience was priceless. It taught us how the Cannes Film Festival and market actually works, and over recent years I have tried to offer Croatian filmmakers that same kind of guidance”.

Ravić added: “We also support Australian filmmakers through the Arts Association Australia Inc., although Screen Australia already provides an excellent base on the Cannes Croisette, with a view of the Riviera and a spacious area where producers can hold meetings, so our role is more complementary. For Croatian filmmakers, however, the situation is different. Croatia’s representation at Cannes is part of the Southeastern European Pavilion, with valuable but limited focus. There is good information for co-productions and filming in Croatia with contacts for production companies in Croatia through their ‘little black book.’ What we provide through ICAN is more direct and personal: a support channel for Croatian creators and talents with specific market needs.

“Our efforts this year have been well received by the creators and talents to whom we have provided complimentary support through ICAN and Majestic Film. I would love to see the film industry in Croatia flourish, and I would also be happy to participate in the development and production of more film projects in Herzegovina and areas of Bosnia where Croats, as a historically relevant population, are too often overlooked and marginalized.”

“Vesna Trokter added: ‘Together with our colleagues from the United States, we hoped to arrange meetings with the Sarajevo Film Foundation, but there was no one there when we stopped by, and we weren’t able to secure an appointment after several visits. However, we hope to go to Sarajevo at some point this year and meet with the relevant people because we have a strong interest to film in Bosnia and Herzegovina with our international partners and tell more stories from those regions to a global audience. We already have a number of well-known names interested in getting involved in the projects, including Cowboy James Storm, which we previously revealed, and many other names will be announced when the projects are solidified.”

Sci-Fi Visionary Neil Johnson Returns to Cannes

The accomplished film director Neil Johnson formerly of Los Angeles and now based in Atlanta also returned to Cannes after a long hiatus and was hosted by his long-time friends and partners at Majestic Film. He presented his 10-part series A Time War, starring Tracey Birdsall (Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter, Hotel Underground), William Kircher (The Hobbit), Steven Manley (Star Trek III) and the voice of Christopher Lee in his final performance.

Now a decades-long leader in filmmaking, Johnson remains youthful, energetic and visionary, and will continue collaborating on multiple projects with Ravić in the coming years.

Speaking about Cannes, Johnson stated: “Contrary to what some have said in the press, this is the first time I have attended Cannes since the late ’90s. It was quite delightful and fun, and I met some amazing people and spent time with old, loyal friends as well. Family, friendship and truth are everything.”

When asked about Johnson, Ravić stated: “Neil has always been someone I look up to when it comes to film production, and I still do. He is an innovator. He was first when others mocked him for deciding to make a movie digitally in the mid 1990’s. Now he is widely recognized in the industry for making the world’s first digital movie, and digital filmmaking has since become the global standard. I’m really pleased to have had Empire Motion Pictures and Neil as part of our exhibiting team at Cannes”

Hand of My Neighbour — Australia / Papua New Guinea

Majestic Film also presented Hand of My Neighbour, an Australian / Papua New Guinea project, that will follow a film crew through Papua New Guinea on a journey to reveal a dedicated group of nuns working quietly on the front lines of poverty and abandonment, offering a powerful example of how faith and corporate responsibility can unite to create lasting human change.

Project initiator Christopher Frederick specifically sought Steve Ravić to direct and produce the project because of his passion for “telling honest and powerful stories that need to be told.”

The project will be undertaken together with Australians That Care and Doctors That Care.

Other projects in development include the retro comedy road movie Back to the 80s and the drama I Never Cry, both scheduled for production in the coming years.

Majestic Film team with ABC and John Doggett-Williams

2016 also brought together a reunion between Steve Ravić and John Doggett-Williams of ABC, Reuters, ESPN and SBS Australia fame, where Majestic Film contributed support and recourses to John and ABC radio for their reports on the Cannes Film Festival 2026. This is the first time since 2018 that Steve Ravić and John Doggett-Williams collaborated in Rome and the The Vatican as part of the filming of Steve Ravić’s Billich: Beyond The Canvas documentary where the established journalist partook in filming footage of Billich at The Vatican and his audience with the Pope that can be seen on the documentary. John Doggett-Williams called the 2026 Cannes experience: “Brilliant, best Cannes ever!”

Vesna concluded: “What made the experience truly unforgettable was not only the incredible energy, opportunities, meetings and momentum, but also being surrounded by wonderful friends, brilliant creatives, trusted partners and truly remarkable individuals. From Majestic Film to our international collaborators, supporters and industry friends, this Cannes was one for the books. Thank you, Cannes.”

Steve Ravić added: “Thank you also to Hervé, Virginie and the team at Bistro De Lerins for looking after us with their amazing hospitality. Those guy’s absolutely rock! We also expect to further expand Majestic Film’s influence and presence at Cannes next year with a bigger team, where we will introduce staff from Croatia and include someone from Bosnia and Hercegovina as part of ICAN. All I can say is to expect the unexpected in Cannes 2027, which will be the 80th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival and also the 20th anniversary since our first attendance.”

Source: Petra Antolić and Steven Haar