There are dreams that come true, but that you wish you could experience all over again.
That is exactly what happened to me regarding the Cannes Film Festival. I was lucky enough to experience my first festival in 2011 and since then I have only been thinking about one thing: going back!
It is now done this year with my return to the Croisette for this 67th edition of the international film festival.
I am no longer exactly a novice and I therefore already have some ideas about the top tips in Cannes that I can take advantage of, but I will still try both to have you experience the festival from the inside and through my experience, while giving you my tips and tricks to enjoy Cannes to the fullest if you are ever lucky enough to go there yourself one day!
Well, let’s start with the basics of the festival tips:
- The most difficult part about getting to the Cannes Film Festival, the key issue, is accommodation, let’s be clear! If you manage to solve this delicate problem (or if you have so much money that you don’t know what to do with it), the rest will be a breeze with some sound advice from your devoted bargain hunter.
For my part, I am lucky enough this year to have found a solution via the Home Exchange site and thus exchange my Parisian apartment with the secondary residence of a charming Swiss couple.
- Regarding accreditation, I had already said it, but I’ll repeat it here: the smallest Cannes accreditation, the Cannes Cinéphile, is not impossible to obtain for anyone who is a little motivated.
You just need to plan ahead (the Cannes Cinéphile accreditation application is made in March) and provide a proper argument by following all the steps clearly described on the Festival website.
Of course, this pass is at the very bottom of the Cannes pyramid, but it remains the only one truly accessible to anyone who isn’t a journalist, film blogger, photographer, producer, or movie star…
From my point of view, I can assure you that with a little practice and a sharp sense of the “good deal,” one can easily manage to enjoy the festival well thanks to this accreditation.
It provides access to screenings of films in competition in the cinemas on the outskirts of Cannes, but it also allows you to try to get invitations every day for screenings at the Palais des Festivals, for Cannes Classics, for special screenings…
In short, you never know what will come up, but regular visits to the Cannes Cinéphile tent, set up on the Croisette, can lead to some great surprises…
This year I even attended many official screenings of the Un Certain Regard selection by taking the queue reserved for Cannes Cinéphile badges to the left of the Debussy theater, and I was able to get into almost all the sessions I wanted, sometimes even before the journalists when there were few people…
The 2014 plus: the launch of a “last minute” queue at La Licorne, Studio 13, and Alexandre III to allow non-accredited film buffs to access the Cannes Cinéphile programming, subject to available seats of course, and once all accredited persons have entered. At the Raimu, entry is in the order of arrival of the spectators, whether accredited or not.
- The Night of Museums always falls during the Festival, so it’s the perfect opportunity to discover the magnificent and charming little Musée de la Castre for free.
The little extra:
it is also an opportunity to climb to the very top of the old 11th-century tower that overlooks the old Suquet neighborhood (which I highly encourage you to visit, it is truly magnificent) and which is located within the museum. At the very top, you will certainly have one of the most beautiful views of the city of Cannes.
- If you live in Cannes, you can also enjoy the Festival quite a bit. Indeed, the Cannes town hall reserves 1500 invitations for Cannes residents each year through a lottery (registration at the Cannes town hall with proof of address). After the festival, Cannes residents are also entitled to a post-screening of the Palme d’Or.
All information on the website of the Cannes Town Hall.
- Another tip for the non-accredited: the free screenings open to all at the beach cinema.
Seated on a deckchair, feet in the sand, festival-goers and Cannes residents are invited to come and discover numerous screenings every evening, during the Festival, at 9:30 PM on the Macé beach.
- I also advise you to take a trip to the Fnac in Cannes.
Indeed, during the festival, it offers many invitations to pick up (when you are a Fnac member), sometimes contests to win seats for the Grand Journal on Canal+ and for the red carpet, as well as meetings centered around cinema.
More info on their website page, right here.
For all other Cannes tips without accreditation, I advise you to take a look at my old article on the subject or follow the upcoming Cannes chronicles that I will not fail to publish in the coming days, notably on the 2014 Cannes spots not to be missed! In the meantime, I’ll leave you, I have a screening…
The little extra to put in your suitcase:
The Geoguide French Riviera (Gallimard guide 14.90€) is a very good investment to discover the history of the region and the city of Cannes, with a little focus on the history of the festival (it’s always nice to approach the places you visit from a historical point of view, for me it’s even essential!).
And it will keep you intelligently occupied on the train or plane during your journey.
Find all my articles on Cannes and the Film Festival below:
⇒ All my articles on Cannes
⇒ All my articles on the PACA region
MY ARTICLES ON CANNES
⇒ The Cannes Film Festival
⇒ Visit the city of Cannes
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan Photos not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
