Over the coming days, here are some other events you might want to catch:

• Digital LA cocktails, Fri 14, 4-6pm at the Caffé Roma
• EU’s Observatoire de l’Audiovisuel launches new version of Korda database of public funding for movies May 15, Riviera stand A6
• “Happy Sake Hour” at the Japan Pavilion, Saturday May 15, 3-6pm. Booth No: 141 (Village International)
• New Irish Cinema Reception Rado Plage La Croisette beach between Carlton and Martinez Sunday, May 16 from 5.30
• ‘What Next for Microbudget Movies?’ Monday 17 May, 3.00-4.00 pm at the UK Film Centre
• Networking event organised by VPV at the Brasserie du Casino May 18 at 11am
• Krzysztof Kieslowski ScripTeast Award to be presented on Wednesday, May 19 at Plage des Palmes. 5pm.

If you have any events worth tipping, please fee free to drop a note below. More tips will be posted on the Twitter account as they are announced.

The photo is from “”Mr Nice”, the true story of Howard Marks, showing at the Star 6pm Friday 14 and 5.30 on Sunday 16. Contact Independent Film Company.

People without badges might still get lucky, as a number of tickets are made available at the above cinemas and at the Cannes Tourist Office near the Pantiero during the festival. Note that these are for movie buffs, not gawkers. So they do not entitle holders to attend red-carpet screenings. Visit Cannes Cinema for details. Click this post for a longer explanation and details of the beach screenings.

Why is this a good deal? You get very easy access to the Palais and Croisette for the duration of the festival in a comfortable hotel. Compared to standard rates, you are getting at least €300 in reduction, plus benefits.

What do I have to do to get it? Easy, just sign up for the Cannes or Bust newsletter (below). Your code will be included in the next issue!


Selected filmmakers are presented with an opportunity to screen at the Palais des Festivals, sell in the Marché du Film, attend CIFF marketing and sales courses, have their film listed in CIFF’s Official Market Guide, network with attending industry executives, and attend launch and promotion parties at the CIFF villa. The Festival offers awards in eleven categories with sponsored prizes totaling over $100,000 in value. CIFF also offers a number of travel and accommodation allowances to participating filmmakers, covering airfare, accreditation, and lodging in the villa.

Submissions are open. For details, visit CIFF.

The hotel’s atrium is a popular meeting point during the Cannes Film Festival, while its top floor is often used for receptions and TV interviews. The redesign pays tribute to the legendary film stars of festivals past, such as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, and Liz Taylor.

Further details and bookings. The hotel is already fully booked for the Cannes Film Festival 2010.

So why get the news straight to your inbox as well ? Because Twitter is the instant media. Instantly there and gone just as fast. You miss things. You might want to get news about the apartments where you set the price (real offer). Or flash ticket sales from airlines. Or the apartment rental company that offered a free pass for every five people (real offer). Or last-minute hotel deals for Midem, MIPIM, MIPCOM or the festival. We don’t sell your address and you can opt-out at any time. The downside? There isn’t one! Sign up below.

]]> http://cannes-or-bust.com/2009/12/cannes-news-and-tips-to-your-desk/feed/ 1 http://cannes-or-bust.com/2009/04/will-mobile-coverage-blossom-at-cannes-this-year/ http://cannes-or-bust.com/2009/04/will-mobile-coverage-blossom-at-cannes-this-year/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:08:14 +0000 admin http://african-rap.com/wordpress/?p=613 For about three years, I have been meaning to start blogging from my mobile phone. But I always wondered who would be interested. Although the capabilities are there, is there anyone out there really interested in reading what would be very short messages? Since then, of course, Twitter had made its appearance and seriously changed the way people communicate breaking news (or opinions). And I’m still not sure Tweeting from Cannes is of any real interest to anyone other than the sender (“Look, I was there” – the irony being that I could send the message from the bottom of my garden and no one would notice the difference).

Co-produced by Orange and CANAL+, TV Festival will broadcast from the 13th to the 24th of March 2009. As the official channel of the Festival presenting everything that is news at Cannes it will be on air daily on Orange TV (channel 50), orange.fr and Orange mobiles.

The Cannes festival is basically two things: a promotional showcase and a trade market. If you are neither press nor industry, nothing is done to make life easy for you. You should know that even within the accredited press, for example, there is a strict pecking order. Some journalists are definitely favoured over others.

So the simple movie fan that wants to catch a few films has little chance. It is possible to catch movies outside the Palais, usually at smaller venues. The city of Cannes insisted that the festival make some tickets available, and set up the Cannes Cinema body (link below) to handle this. So it is possible to obtain tickets. But the Cannes Cinema site specifies that they are primarily for people with some sort of non-professional connection to movies, such as films clubs, teachers, etc. I know there is some lee-way on this.

If you can’t face the prospect of trying to justify your existence, you could always try your luck picking up tickets early in the morning at the Cannes Cinema booth (in the Pantiero zone) or at the Raimu, Licorne and Studio 13 cinemas. These screenings are not in the main theatre, but do include films from the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Official Selection, Un certain regard and Cannes Classics selection. You can’t really choose what to see, as these are basically leftover seats.

Tickets for the Semaine international de la critique can (if you’re lucky and early enough) be picked up at the Espace Miramar (35, rue Pasteur) or with a Cannes Cinéphile badge. Remember, conditions apply and exceptions are regularly made. To quote the Stones, you can’t always get what you want.

Confusing? Just wait until you hit town! Getting to see anything involves a lot of walking from one source of information to another, getting up early and queuing. But you are at Cannes, and might just spot someone half-famous in the street.

Another opportunity is to check the Cinéma de la Plage. I’ve seen quite a few films here, and I think it’s a fun event. A giant screen is placed on the beach close to the Palais and shows a broad selection of art-house films and old classics. Tickets are available from the Cannes Tourist Office on the day. Lastly, look out for Cannes in a Van, a British outift that screens short films, trialers and music videos from a van that is usually parked on the Croisette.

Having a badge, I have never had to go through most of this process. So I’m hoping that someone with more experience will chip in with some useful information. Good luck!

Link: Cannes Cinema (for the Cinéphile badge).

This article is featured on The Carnival of Cinema.