Halifax filmmaker Noah Pink is heading to Cannes, where his 44-minute ZedCrew will next month hit the big screen as part of the Directors’ Fortnight.

The Zambia-shot project is the Fortnights’ sole Canadian pickup this year, and follows a trio of young men looking to make it big as rappers in New York City. Pink discovered one of the musicians, who also scored the film with his original music, on MySpace.

‘ZedCrew is a unique view of contemporary, urban Africa,’ said Pink in a statement. ‘It portrays the life of cool, young Zambians who, like so many others, dream of making it big in America. But unlike so many others, these guys are forced to the extreme.’

Written, directed and produced by Pink, ZedCrew was shot in June 2009 and posted in Halifax. His filmmaking career began five years ago after making corporate videos, writing feature scripts and shooting shorts and music videos. His script I Am North was among those selected by the Berlin film festival’s Talent Project Market. Other shorts under his belt include Bad Day, Good Day, Bad Day (2007), Relationships Are Confusing (2006) and Symposium (2005).

Xavier Dolan’s new film Les amours imaginaries was earlier this month tapped for the Cannes festival itself.