Accreditation at the Cannes Film festival is the holy grail in terms of movie business and fandom. Despite the fact that it has been running for decades, many people are still unsure about how to go about attending the market and/or screenings.
First of all, it’s important to remember that the Festival de Cannes is primarily a professional event, where producers, buyers, agents, actors and others come to do business. The screenings are for the benefit of the press, primarily.
If you are part of the business, I recommend going for the Film Market (Marché du Film) badge. It costs about €250 and gives you access to the market (obviously) as well as the many receptions, conferences and events. These are fantastic networking opportunities. You can also access screenings, but the red carpet screenings usually require specific invitations.
If you don’t want to or can’t obtain Film Market accreditation, here are the requirements for accreditation for the festival proper.
Accreditation at the Cannes Film festival
Festival accreditation is needed to access the Palais des Festivals and the Marché du Film. It enables you to attend screenings, subject to conditions you receive after being accepted (ie, invitation-only).
Send your accreditation requests in time
Remember, the festival has been running for years. There is no reason to wait to send in applications – in fact, the earlier you apply the greater the chance of being able to book accommodation at a better price. This year, the deadline to make a request for accreditation is April 1st, 2019. Beyond this date, things can be complicated.
Accreditation requests sent later will be subject to severe restrictions: they will only be delivered on an highly exceptional basis upon presentation of supporting professional documents, and will be billed administrative handling costs. So there really is no reason to wait on this.
How do you apply?
Accreditation requests are made online and are examined by the competent body as determined by your business activity sector. The accrediting office you belong to sets its own registration criteria, so be sure to study them carefully. Each office has only a limited number of accreditations to grant.
Because the Festival de Cannes is exclusively reserved for film industry professionals, if you do not belong to one of the categories below, your request will not be taken into consideration.
-
The Cannes Starter Guide on Amazon
Civil service, embassies
- Artistic Agent
- Press agent
- Writer, director, composer
- Lawyer, jurist
- Film library, archive, restoration
- Actor
- Film commission
- Distribution
- Film school
- Film music publishing
- Financial institution
- Exhibitor
- Film festival
- Technical industries
- Press/media: non journalists
- Press/media: journalists Production
- Film Publicist
- Film technician
- Video, DVD, VOD
The criteria for press (web, printed press, photographers, TV, radio) are very precise.
One last thing: if you are an early career producer, I strongly recommend checking the Producers’ Network, which offers special information and networking events.
Links for accreditations:
Festival de Cannes, 3, rue Amélie – F. 75007 PARIS _ TÉL. : 33(0)1 53 59 61 16 _ FAX : 33(0)1 53 59 61 17
If you just want to attend screenings, check this article.
For accommodation in Cannes, check here.
Pingback: Getting accreditation at the Cannes Festival 2013 | Find a Track
I’d be really interested to know what you think of the producers network at Cannes? Is it worth the extra money?
Ta.
Unfortunately, I have never been a fellow of the Producers Network. However, someone that has told me that it was indeed a fantastic way to meet like-minded people. His only problem was that the events sometimes clashed with appointments he had made (in which case, did he really need the Network?). Meeting “young” producers is not a bad thing, particularly European ones. They sometimes have access to local tax shelter schemes that mean they can punch above their weight.
If anyone has any direct experience with the Producers Network, I’d really love to hear from you.
M
Pingback: Getting Accreditation at the Cannes Film Festival 2013 | Find-a-Track
I’ve an accreditation for students to go to Cannes but I don’t know where I will be able to go. Do you know it?
Are you asking what you will be able to access? I must admit that I haven’t been a student for a long time. 😉 I’ll ask the crowd on Twitter. What’s your interest in going anyway? To watch movies or learn about the business? Are you in film school?
well, I’m doing audiovisual comunication at university and I’ve requested for an accreditation and it’s accepted. I would like to watch movies but also learn about the business in order to make a movie in the future o learn about the possibilities.
thanks
As far as I know, you get access to the festival films, not the market. However one of the first tests of being in the biz is getting to places without the right cred 😉 This usually means getting yourself invited by someone that has the right badge. So network, network, network. On the other hand, you will still be able to pick up all the industry dailies (take every single one home with you) and nany biz discussions.
Michael
What are the dates for 2016? Is it worth going as an actor? Will I be able to meet people?
No! Never go as an actor unless a film of yours is screening.