For two weeks each spring, the Croisette in Cannes, France, transforms into a veritable parallel universe—one governed by its own unique set of rules, customs, and quirks. It’s a place where dinners go on until 1 a.m., the color of your press badge determines everything, and the air is thick with anticipation and excitement.
If you’re planning to attend the Cannes Film Festival for the first time, here are a few things I learned and wish I’d known:
1. The flights between London and Nice are packed with industry professionals. Be prepared for a lot of shop talk and networking.
2. Once you get to Cannes, every form of transportation is fair game. Don’t be surprised if you see people trying to hail taxis or buses in the middle of the street.
3. The major hotels on the Croisette are always packed during the festival. Be prepared for crowds and long lines.
4. The Croisette is best avoided in the evenings unless you are going to a premiere. The pavements are narrow and permanently jam-packed with people in tuxedos and dresses with extravagant trains.
5. Don’t be surprised if you see celebrities everywhere you go. Cannes is a magnet for the rich and famous.
6. The color of your press badge determines your level of access to press conferences and screenings. White badges are the most prestigious, followed by pink, blue, and yellow badges.
7. The virtual booking system for tickets is a bit of a nightmare. Be prepared to wake up early and refresh the page constantly.
8. If you don’t get a ticket to a screening, there’s always the last-minute queue. You might be able to snag a seat if there are no-shows.
9. The dress code for premieres is black tie. For men, this means a tuxedo or a black or midnight blue suit with a bow tie. For women, it can mean an evening dress, a cocktail dress, a dark trouser suit, a dressy top with black trousers, or a little black dress.
10. Selfies are not allowed on the red carpet. If you’re caught taking a selfie, you could be denied access to the screening.
11. It’s customary for every film to get a standing ovation at its premiere. The number of minutes it lasts is crucial. Four minutes or below is considered poor, while anything above seven is considered exceptional.
12. If you plan on covering parties and waking up in time for the first screenings, sleep will be difficult to come by. Dinners often go on until 1 a.m., and drinks and dancing can continue for hours after that.
13. The breakfast buffets are especially important because they are usually where you’ll have the most food, at least during the day. There are gala dinners, of course, but running across town from screenings to press conferences to interviews before then means there’s often little time for the leisurely lunches you might picture yourself having in Cannes.
14. Most of the journalists I met seemed to have packed baguettes in foil, to be eaten in the queues to screenings, or sustained themselves on coffee and cigarettes alone.
15. Considering the commotion around the festival, it’s actually startling to see how well it all functions. Credit must go to the organizers, but also to the staff on the ground, who are always on hand to direct you to the right cinema or workspace.
Attending the Cannes Film Festival is an unforgettable experience. It’s a chance to see some of the best films in the world, network with industry professionals, and soak up the glamorous atmosphere. Just be prepared for a lot of crowds, long lines, and late nights.
