Filmmaking > Festivals & Markets
Cannes 101
So, you graduate from film school next year. Why should you be concerned about learning the in’s and out’s of Cannes? First of all, it’s a place where film decision makers are more accessible than in Hollywood. It’s a great pitching place if you plan ahead and schedule your pitches. If you don’t know the geography of Cannes, you’ll spend most of your time lost. Also, you’ll go broke in a couple of days unless you know how to access the freebies at Cannes. If you do plenty of research and ask enough questions, you can get most meals free at parties (invitation required). Otherwise, budget $150 per day for basic meals.
Hotels are really expensive. It’s possible to find inexpensive ones in Nice and take the commuter train into Cannes every day. This requires a minimum knowledge of French. The first time I traveled to Cannes was by train. I had flown to Frankfort from my native Texas and taken the train (my favorite form of transportation) to Cannes. I assumed that when I got off the train all I needed was to tell the cab driver, “Cannes film festival, please.” Well, the cab driver didn’t speak English so I resorted a poor attempt at French. I’d previously done a live TV show from Paris and had a slight knowledge of French. The cab driver drove me to the Boulevard Crossette, which is a major street along the beach with the most elaborate hotels. I got the driver to stop. I still had no idea where the festival was. I figured it was in some grand hotel or building. Little did I know that it took place on the entire Crossette, stretching several miles. I had my two suitcases and two large 35mm containers holding my film which was screening at Cannes. I was wearing a suit and looked out of place. Casual by day and formal at night is the dress code at Cannes. Loaded with bags and gear, I could only walk short distances.
It didn't take me long to notice ladies on the beach without tops. Later I learned that in France you don’t act like you notice such things. What a novice I was! Fortunately, my distributor (also an American) spotted me. He rescued me from further embarrassment as I was now walking along the beach with my enormous load of baggage.
Well, eventually I moved to Europe and adjusted to the cultural differences. Most of all, I learned how to work the market with the aid of my Dutch friend, Fred de Haas. Fred’s job was being head of Holland Film Promotion.
I learned where to eat for free (or someone else paying) and who the buyers were and what they bought. In short, I was the typical European film maker in Cannes. Europeans don’t have an enormous budget for markets. Soon after they get out of film school, they are in Cannes to promote co-productions deals. There is more potential in Cannes for packaging your film than any place in the world. Every film student has dreams of a feature under their belt. This is the place to make contacts and it takes more than one Cannes or Berlin Festival/Market to learn.
Most producers and writers intensely prepare for Cannes. You must contact potential producers of your project at least two months prior to the festival. If you’re a writer, it’s good to have a producer attached to your project who knows who to pitch your script. I spent years pitching stories to people who had no interest in them. That’s why it’s good for a student to attend Cannes or Berlin before going there to pitch. This is the one place where it is possible to meet people that are difficult to meet in Hollywood. There are lots of parties such as ones for individual countries such as Holland and also for various film companies and film projects. Most ‘real players’ know exactly who they are going to chat with at each party and what they want to accomplish. On the outside, it looks like simply a lot of boozing and free food.
In order to survive Cannes, you can get a free breakfast or a party invitation if you play your cards right. The Dutch have a free breakfast this year but you have to get to know a Dutch film person to get invited. Moving around the Palais (main festival screening place and has market booths) is a way to get invited to the parties. The booth managers have invitations and if you’re polite you might be able to score an invitation. Most of these parties have an enormous amount of food and drink. Every night there are about 30 parties.
If you want to take a chance to strike up a conversation with a studio development executive, have coffee on the terrace of the Carlton Hotel. I had the opportunity to pitch a project there to a British banker. Spike Lee was sitting right behind me and could hear my pitch. I was really nervous but managed to perform. One thing to learn about pitching is how long you have and also what the person your pitching has produced. If you hang out at the Carlton terrace long enough you’ll see Gerard Depardieu cruise up to the entrance on his motorcycle.
Another great place to meet people late at night is the Le Petit Carlton. Several hundred people there spill out of the bar onto the surrounding streets. I’ve met people there that I’ve now done business with for years. This place is located a few blocks behind the Carlton. Be prepared for long waits at the bar.
Have fun at Cannes (if you're fortunate enough to be attending this year), or make plans now to go next year. You'll have twelve months to learn basic French!