Master’s Thesis
« Visibility Strategies for French Independent Films with Limited Budgets Since 2023. »
Grade: Distinction (15.2/20).
This thesis examines how French independent films with limited budgets build their visibility in a post-COVID landscape, characterized by a sustained decline in theatrical attendance and a shift in audience behavior toward digital platforms.
The research is based on three hypotheses concerning the roles of digital media, film festivals, and the specialized press. These are tested through a comparative analysis of three distinct case studies « Le Consentement », « Chien de la casse », and « L’Histoire de Souleymane » as well as two semi-structured interviews with industry professionals.
The study incorporates box-office data, a structured assessment of engagement metrics across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and an analysis of press coverage. It demonstrates that digital media serves as a powerful yet unpredictable tool; that while film festivals provide legitimacy, they do not, on their own, guarantee access to an audience; and that the press continues to function as a source of critical validation, amplified through other channels.
Master’s degree in advertising
In 2024, I began a master’s degree in advertising and commercial communication, drawn by the program’s creative dimension and my growing interest in visual production. Through the course, I learned the fundamentals of campaign strategy, honed my creativity, and as part of a group developed a media campaign for Compagnie de la Meuse. We also began work on a comprehensive campaign for Proximus, which is currently still underway.
Concurrently, I joined a specialized journalism track in partnership with PUB.be, under the guidance of Philippe Warzée. Several of my interviews and articles were published there over the course of the year.
Journalism option
In my third year, I gravitated toward journalism, drawn by the craft of writing and the diversity of topics. I completed two observational internships at BX1 and TV Lux where I took part in press conferences, conducted interviews, worked on video editing, wrote articles, and recorded voice-overs.
During that same year, I also contributed to an editorial project focused on the second-hand market. Each week, we wrote articles and produced content for social media, including Reels, Stories, and Instagram posts.
Academic Background
After completing my secondary education in Bastogne, I moved to Brussels in 2021 to begin a bachelor’s degree in applied communication at IHECS.
Beyond theory, I explored various facets of the profession, including project creation, podcast production, an introduction to the Adobe Creative Cloud, logo and brochure design, video projects, and editing.
There is also a strong focus on foreign languages; I have a B2 level in English and an intermediate level in German.
