Ex-UNC football player to intern at Cannes Film Festival

Senior defensive back Josh Stewart wasn’t on the football field last fall.

The 2007 walk-on chose instead to focus on his recently declared communications degree — and try his hand at one of the most highly regarded film festivals in the world.

This summer, Stewart will join about 30 other American students at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.

As interns in the Creative Minds in Cannes program, Stewart and the other students in the program are responsible for creating a 10-minute film to be screened and judged at the festival. Interns will also have the chance to work with influential production companies.

“The internship is a two-part deal, allowing you to learn about the business side while showcasing your talent and creativity,” Stewart said.

Students are matched with a company according to their interests in the film industry.

“Hopefully I will be set up with a good production company and can take full advantage of all of the networking opportunities,” Stewart said.

Stewart applied for Creative Minds in Cannes on a whim after seeing a flier in Swain Hall.

“I saw it as an opportunity to immerse me in the film industry,” he said.

The internship would also allow him to gain experience beyond what is offered at UNC.

“You get all your technical skills here, but it’s hard to really see the business side of it until you get involved,” he said. “This internship is geared toward that.”

Formerly an exercise and sports science major, Stewart has quickly caught up in his communications degree.

Nadia Dawisha, a graduate student in the communications department, has Stewart in class and said he is a skilled film analyst.

“His commitment, desire and open mind will help him in this internship,” Dawisha said.

Stewart is looking forward to the contacts he will be able to make and the opportunities that will open for him, he said.

“I keep thinking that, for him, it is going to be a turning point in his career,” said Martine Antle, a professor of French in the Romance languages department, who also teaches classes on European cinema.

Though Stewart is excited about meeting the prestigious names and walking the red carpet, he is looking forward to making this a productive two weeks, he said.

“If I was him, I wouldn’t sleep the entire time I was there,” Antle said.

Cannes — in its 64th year this May— showed 964 feature-length films and 38 short films last year.

Actor Robert De Niro is the jury president for 2011. Uma Thurman, Jude Law and six others will make up the rest of the jury that chooses which films win awards. The festival begins May 11.

Stewart — who does not speak any French — said he is packing a travel book of French phrases. But ultimately, he feels prepared.

“The program prides itself on the amount of exposure you get and the exclusive opportunity to get to meet people you wouldn’t have the opportunity to normally,” he said.

“Hopefully, I can impress a few people.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.