Christel Henon says it was a “tremendous honour” when the Luxembourg co-production It Was Just an Accident, by Iranian director Jafar Panahi, received the prestigious 2025 Palme d’Or. But for the producer and founder of Bidibul Productions, her “true pride lies in what goes on behind the scenes: it’s consistency. “I’m proud of the resilience it takes to maintain high standards every day, navigate an extremely complex industry, and successfully bring ambitious projects to fruition, year after year.”
Henon explains how the film and audiovisual industry is experiencing massive changes in terms of financing, the emergence of generative AI, the transformation of distribution models, changes in consumption patterns. “Audiences, especially young people, have attention spans altered by the ultra-short formats of social networks like TikTok,” she explains.
Creators also have to find ways to ensure their projects retain appeal long after production begins. Faced with such challenges, Henon says she is able to “keep a cool head”, something she attributes to her “atypical background”.
“I felt the need to broaden my horizons into the realm of freedom that cinema offers”
Henon served as a lawyer specialising in press and audiovisual law and international business law at the Luxembourg Bar for over 25 years before founding Bidibul Productions in 2008 with Lilian Eche. “As I gained experience, I felt the need to broaden my horizons into the realm of freedom that cinema offers… this creative exploration continues within the industry itself: from production, I became a screenwriter, I ventured into acting, and today I am a director.” She believes that professional development should never be limited by predefined categories or labels.
In an unpredictable profession, Henon argues that authenticity and continuous reinvention provide strong foundations for long-term success. She encourages the next generation of professionals to “cultivate hybrid profiles: understanding the concrete workings and material realities of our industry, while simultaneously freeing themselves creatively.”
This exclusive portrait was published in the 10th edition of Forbes Luxembourg.
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