CANNES
By
Xandra Grayson
(first timers guide)
My experience of Cannes was not just of being able to visit Cannes in France and enjoy the film festival, but also getting an idea of how the business world of film works and as the industry machine can either help your film get made or disappear it into dust.
1. OMDC - Ontario Media Development Corporation
Before you go.
The OMDC is a wonderful site for all kinds of bursaries and subsidies in the media industry. Before going to Cannes or what ever industry event you may be attending check out the OMDC website http://www.omdc.on.ca/ for any subsidies that they may be offering to you as an Ontario resident. Check out the fancy 'Online Application Portal' for any subsidies you may be eligible for! Sadly because my production company was situated in B.C. I wasn't eligible for a subsidy, which is why there is less inter-provincial hiring. The Creative B.C. website is where you would go if you are a resident of B.C. and would like the opportunity to look into the subsidies offered to creatives working in the media industry take a look at their website here: https://www.creativebc.com/.
2. CINANDO
Become a member of Cinando.
Cinando is the film industries Facebook. Like IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/) it is a list of who works in the industry and what they do, but like Facebook it directs you to who is going to be at the film festival and how to reach them. It is an exclusive platform that allows those in the industry to know you are at the festival and contact you. As it is an exclusive and verified platform one has to be a part of an incorporated production company and be verified. All the paperwork is worth it though as it is a very helpful and also legitimizing network to be a part of. If you are going to Cannes, get yourself on Cinando.
From the website help page itself: https://cinando.com/en/FootPage?page=help
"What is Cinando ?
Cinando is the premier online network for film professionals offering you the best tools to navigate the film industry: contacts, films, projects in development, market attendees & screening schedules, screeners… it’s all here!
Who is eligible for a Cinando subscription ?
Only professionals working on feature film within the cinema industry are granted access to Cinando: mainly producers, distributors, sales agents and film festivals, as well as TV broadcasters and distributors, VOD platforms, law firms or service companies that specialize in the cinema and entertainment industry. Please remember that only companies can register for Cinando. Sub-profiles are then added for staff members to the company account. Freelancers cannot submit a subscription request. Every subscription request must be approved by the Cinando team.
What is the price of a yearly subscription and how can I pay ?
The subscription fee is 99 euros a year. You can pay online by credit card (all major credit cards are accepted). To subscribe as a new customer, simply click ‘Register’ on the home page and follow the instructions."
3. The Canadian Pavilion
If you are bringing a film to market you will want to be a part of the 'Canadian Pavilion' in the international section of the market place. You must register for the Canadian Pavilion before you head to the film festival, but it is worth it. https://telefilm.ca/en/call-for-entry/canada-pavilion-at-the-2018-marche-film-cannes
To find out more about the Canadian Pavilion and who will be attending visit the RDV Canada site for more information: https://rdvcanada.ca/en/festivals-and-events/ and you can have your mugshot on their website and social media just like I did, which is a great way to spread the word about who you are as a creative. If they don't know you're there, how will they ask to have meetings with you?
The Canadian Pavilion is a great home base in the international village, though it does cost some money to register for is have WIFI access, free coffee and snacks, and a professional meeting space with concierge for any meetings one would like to have between production companies. Plus its right there on the beach!
Just being at the Canadian Pavilion gives you time to network and meet those charging their laptop, or waiting for their meeting. You never know who you will meet on the beach while you enjoy your first coffee of the day. It's funny to think that you have to go all the way to France to meet people working in Toronto to make connections, but a shared experience is stronger than a resume on line and it's worth it to find a home base where you can easily connect to everyone without the pressure of a networking event.
It's also a great place to be interviewed by industry professionals such as 'The First Weekend Club'.
I come in here at minute 16.07 if you want to skip all the other interviews.
4. Invitations/The Red Carpet
When you finally get there!
Invitations are a big deal at Cannes. Getting your feet on the red carpet (oh yah if you're a woman you can't wear flats be forewarned! http://www.flare.com/celebrity/cannes-kristen-stewart/
Also there is a no selfie rule on the red carpet, so many ways to get kicked off the red carpet watch yourself!
But once you know the rules you still can't just go and buy a ticket to the screening, no you must be invited and be allotted an 'Invitation'.
After you buy your festival pass you will get an email from Cannes and they will give you instructions on how to request your red carpet Invitation.
There is no guarantee you will get the one you request, and if there are ones in high demand like SOLO or Blackkklansman then there may be a possibility you might not get one at all. There are two ways to go about it, just ask for as many as you can in case you get a chance to get a lot of invitations, or choose wisely one or two and you may get lucky and get the one you want. Be forewarned though, that if you choose one screening, all the other screenings of that same movie will be taken away, so make sure you request the screening that fits into your schedule.
Of course if you don't have a festival pass you won't get the email or be able to request any invitations. But you can always dress up very nicely and stand holding a sign in front of the red carpet requesting an invitation from passerbys. No there is no shame in it, because those who are not able to go to their screening get a penalty for not using their invitations, so if one can not go, than it is best to find someone ready to scan your ticket and take your place at the screening. Saves the festival the trouble of having to find seat fillers.
I had a lucky double feature which I really enjoyed, plus I had the chance to walk down the red carpet twice. The first time I walked down on the wrong side and didn't get the full experience. If you want to walk the full length of the carpet you have to enter into a special entrance at the end of the road so that you don't get pushed up the stairs along the side, but you get to have a better experience and enjoy the entire terrifying experience of passing between the double sided gauntlet of paparazzi.
5. The Short Film Corner
Beneath the marketplace in the Palais du Festival is the short film corner where one can go and see all of the short films, see conferences, pitch your next movie and go to the buyers corner. This is where you can go to find a few good movies, or some bad ones, and get a quick hit for an hour each time.
Head down to the video library and they will sign you in with your pass for an hour and you can go to a booth and sit with your headphones on and watch the shorts that are available at the short film corner.
Be aware though that when you choose the movie you want to watch it has a detailed list of all your information and to what minute you watched the film until. All this information gets shared with the director of each film you watch. So this is a great way to insult someone or perhaps make a new contact, as you receive a sheet of information with all the director's details on it from each film you watched at the end of your viewing session.
Each of the films has it's listing in the short film corner program, and it is nice to have yourself in there in official print. Though if you want to have a full experience of a actual theater screening with a real live audience, rather than a little booth with headphones where people go one at a time to view. There is an option to purchase some screening time in one of the Palais du Festival cinemas. We had decided that it would be best to purchase one of these official screenings. To come all the way with our movie and not have an official screening seemed a little silly for the small amount of extra money it would cost. With that 2K projector and 5.1 surround sound it really was worth it!
There is your guide to getting into the marketplace at Cannes. All the parties and the networking is the easy stuff, and don't worry, all you have to do is go to the Grand Hotel to find the good places to drink all night long. But beware of any 9am meetings!
See you next time in France!
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