The Cannes Film Festival, also known as the Festival de Cannes or simply Cannes, is one of the most prestigious events in the world. The event in Cannes, France, showcases critically acclaimed films worldwide. The festival is considered a highlight in the film industry, and it is not uncommon for celebrities and Hollywood elite to attend the event.
Every May, A-list celebrities flock to Cannes to celebrate cinema worldwide, party on yachts, and show off their glamorous looks on the famous red carpet. The festival is a must-see for movie lovers, setting awards season campaigns in motion.
In addition to the film screenings, Cannes is also home to a renowned film market, where thousands of film industry professionals gather to network and discuss the latest films in development. The market is an important event for many international sales agents and distributors.
Cannes is officially an industry event, so unless you’ve received an invitation from the festival (and if not, then chances are it’s a no-go), you’ll struggle to get into screenings at the Palais. However, you can still watch the action on the TV Festival de Cannes which runs 24 hours a day throughout the festival complex.
As well as this, the Festival de Cannes also hosts several special events during the festival, and you can also attend some events for free. For example, Chopard hosts an annual dinner at the festival for its top clients and celebrities, where they serve up champagne and delicious food. The dinner is an excellent opportunity for guests to meet with the celebrity chefs and take photos.
Other events during the festival include the Un Certain Regard sidebar and the Out of Competition screenings. This year, the Out of Competition section will feature Harrison Ford’s swansong archaeologist Indiana Jones vehicle Indiana Jones, the Dial of Destiny, and Martin Scorsese’s directorial debut Killers of the Flower Moon.
The Cannes Lions awards are also held during the festival and have expanded to now span 30 specialist trophies across nine tracks. The awards celebrate the best in creativity and have become a global benchmark for excellence in advertising.
Cannes is a wealthy coastal city, and you can see evidence of the wealthy inhabitants everywhere, from the port filled with luxury super-yachts to the streets lined with Ferraris and Porsches. However, some lovely old streets have remained unchanged, and you can walk through them to discover charming little boutiques.
If you decide to visit Cannes during the festival, it’s important to remember that the dress code for attending film screenings and other events is quite strict. Men are expected to wear a tuxedo and bow tie, while women should wear evening or cocktail dresses, shirts, or trousers. Recognized National dresses, such as a Scottish kilt, are also allowed.
