Meditalents is a cultural non-profit organization founded in 2011. It brings together experienced film professionals and renowned screenwriters to help young talents bring their vision to life.The association provides them with the tools needed to achieve true creative autonomy.
We support Mediterranean screenwriters in their pursuit of international recognition by offering professional expertise at every stage of the filmmaking process — from writing and development to project presentation.
Meditalents is based in Marseille, a city historically open to the Mediterranean. This strategic location places us at the heart of Mediterranean cultures and film industries, encouraging collaboration between authors, producers, and institutions from the region and beyond.
Our residencies take place in Marseille, at the former convent of Notre-Dame de la Compassion, where we provide the facilities and environment ideal for developing screenwriting projects.
Beyond our base in Marseille, Meditalents extends its reach across the entire Mediterranean basin.
Since 2011, we have supported over 250 talents from 20 different countries, creating a unique network of filmmakers and fostering collaboration across cultures and film industries.
Because a strong screenplay is the foundation of a successful film, we help directors refine their writing to make it more impactful.
Each year, we select and bring together young talents from Southern Europe, the Maghreb, and the Mediterranean Middle East to take part in our dedicated LABS.
These spaces of exploration and learning allow them to structure and strengthen their first feature film — whether fiction or documentary.
Our mission is supported by a rich and dynamic ecosystem of mentors, institutions, festivals, and professional events.
All are committed to supporting a new generation of Mediterranean filmmakers and giving them the essential opportunities they need to succeed.
President of Meditalents
Olivier Chantriaux has been the president of Meditalents since March 2023. After studying economics in Orléans, he worked in film distribution at Pyramide, Polygram, and Universal Pictures, before moving into post-production. In 2015, he founded Manifest, a company specializing in the distribution of short films. He was also a member of the Cannes Short Film Selection Committee from 2008 to 2018. As a producer, he has overseen more than 40 short films and co-produced several feature films.
Director
Thibaud Meyrand has been the director of Meditalents since 2025. After studying law in Aix-en-Provence, he turned to film production in 2022 by founding his company, Methodic Studio. Based in Marseille, he produces short films and documentaries, focusing on both local and international projects. In 2024, he joined the production collective Les Films de la Pépinière in Lussas, dedicated to the development of documentaries.
Development Manager
Marinella Banfi, former president of Meditalents, is currently responsible for the association’s development. A French-Italian producer, she has collaborated with renowned European directors, notably producing Savage Nights by Cyril Collard (1992), Red Wood Pigeon by Nanni Moretti (1989), and Anna Oz by Éric Rochant (1996). Her experience spans executive production and the development of auteur projects in both France and Italy. She also develops writing projects and supports professionals through consulting and mentoring activities.
Treasurer
Gérald Moulédous is the treasurer of Meditalents. A former executive of an industrial company specializing in material cutting, he later turned to advising business leaders and managers. He worked across various industrial sectors before specializing in strategic consulting to help organizations adapt to economic, digital, and environmental transformations. Passionate about mathematics, cybernetics, philosophy, and nature, he promotes innovation by reassessing economic models and strategies. Since 1998, he has been advocating for more sustainable economic development and advising numerous organizations.
Artistic director
Adriano Valerio is the artistic director of Meditalents. An Italian filmmaker based in Paris, he won the Short Film Prize at Cannes in 2013 with 37°4S and the David di Donatello Award. His first feature film, Banat (2015), and his documentary Casablanca (2023) were both presented at the Venice Film Festival. He collaborates with various cultural and film institutions in Europe and Lebanon. He also teaches directing at the École Nationale Supérieure Louis Lumière, the Scuola Holden, the International Film School of Paris, and the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts.
Production manager
Thomas Andrieux is the production manager of Meditalents. Co-founder of the production company Methodic Studio in 2022, he has co-produced several short films and has held production management positions. He worked as a production manager for the documentary Mater Frioul and currently holds the same position at the Mediterranean screenwriters' residency, Meditalents.
Coordination and communication officer
Magdalena Hartmann joined Meditalents as a coordination and communication officer. She studied International Cultural Studies and Psychology at Leiden University, before joining the Erasmus Mundus Master's program in Digital Arts and Culture, focused on the intersection of the humanities, art, and audiovisual media.
