Each year, cinema virtuosos and future hopefuls flock to the French Rivera for the Cannes Film Festival in May. For more than 70 years, it has been the epitome of cinematographic excellence. Some of the biggest names in cinema launched their careers from its hallowed screenings and have been dubbed where stars are born. The 11-day extravaganza promises star-studded premieres, displays of tour de force in action, and of course, breathtaking views of the Cote d’Azur.
Everything you need to know about the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival is as prominent as the Oscars. Yet, the significance of it cannot be compressed into a singular awards night. While everyone knows the name, do we know where it comes from and what it’s actually all about? What is a Palme d’Or and what even is Un Certain Regard? We reveal everything you need to know about this film festival!
What is the Cannes Film Festival?
Since the 1940’s Cannes Film Festival has become a symbol of artistic achievement and recognition of excellence. It has the ability to expose cinematic trends, uncover new talent and provide a platform for future film directors. This annual festival hosts and displays new movies and documentaries from around the world. Along with international events such as Sundance, Toronto Film Festival, Berlin FIlm Festival and Venice Film Festival, it has long secured its place as one of the Big Five. Known as a mecca for cinephiles, it garners the attention of fans and industry professionals alike.
Who is on the Cannes Jury 2024?
Each year, the board of directors appoints a select jury to review the submissions. More than 2,000 movies are submitted annually and it is the committee's task to watch each one. The jury will choose around 50 feature films and 10 short films to be part of the Official Selection. The committee for the 77th edition chaired by Greta Gerwig included Ebru Ceylan, Lily Gladstone, Eva Green, Nadine Labaki, Juan Antonio Bayona, Pierfransisco Favino Kore-eda Hirokazu and Omar Sy.
What are the awards?
The agenda is divided into multiple sections, the main ones being:
- In Competition - In Competition is the festival’s main headliner, with films from revered directors vying for the coveted Palme d’Or.
- Un Certain Regard - Un Certain Regard recognizes burgeoning talent that embraces innovative and original works. This section aims to discover newer directors faced with limited theatrical distribution.
- Out Of Competition - Out of Competition is concerned with works that the jury want to be recognized but do not meet the competition criteria.
- Short Films - Short films are recognized in this category.
- Cinéfondation - Cinéfondation is exclusively reserved for film students currently enrolled in film school. The submission must not have been presented on an international scale and can only be an hour in length.
The major and coveted awards include:
- Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) - The best feature film of the competition
- Palme d’Or du Court Métrage - Award for the best short film
- Grand Prix (Grand Prize) - Awarded by the Jury to a feature film. It is considered the second-most prestigious award after the Palme d’Or.
- Jury Prize - Chosen by the Jury, it recognizes an exceptional performance of one of the feature films.
- Best Director - Bestowed to best director of a film In Competition
- Best Actor - Awarded to a male actor who gave an outstanding performance
- Best Actress - Awarded to a female actress who gave an outstanding performance
- Best Screenplay - Awarded the best adapted or original screenplay.
- Camera d’Or (Golden Camera) - Bestowed to the best first feature film of a new director across all of Cannes’ selections.
While the Palme d’Or does not necessarily translate to an immediate rise to stardom, it has often been used as a springboard for notoriety and international recognition. Many of today’s cult classics such as Pulp Fiction (1994), Taxi Driver (1976) and Parasite (2019) received the sought-after title. Parasite went on to secure an Oscar’s Best Picture while both Pulp Fiction and Taxi Driver were reached the list of nominees for Best Picture.
What is this year’s lineup?
A bevy of stars, expert directors and fresh talent can be seen in this year’s official lineup. 19 films are battling for the Palme d’Or in the In Competition selection.
The Apprentice by Ali Abbasi
Motel Destino by Karim Ainouz
Bird by Andrea Arnold
Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard
Anora by Sean Baker
Megalopolis by Francis Ford Coppola
The Shrouds by David Cronenberg
The Substance by Coralie Fargeat
Grand Tour by Miguel Gomes
Marcello Mio by Christophe Honoré
Caught By The Tides by Jia Zhang-Ke
All We Imagine As Light by Payal Kapadia
Kinds Of Kindness by Yórgos Lánthimos
L’amour Ouf by Gilles Lellouche
Wild Diamond by Agathe Riedinger
Oh Canada by Paul Schrader
Limonov - The Ballad by Kirill Serebrennikov
Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino
The Girl With The Needle by Magnus Von Horn
History of the Cannes Film Festival
The inception of Cannes Film Festival as we know it can be traced back to Venice in 1938. Art had been sorely affected by the fascist leaders of Europe at this time. It just so happened that a French film was lined for an easy victory.
However, notorious political leaders bribed the jury to change the decided award winners in favor of a propaganda documentary. Outraged, Jean Zay and Phillipe Erlanger proposed the idea of an international festival - one free from constraints- to rival that of Venice. The International Cannes Film Festival debuted on the 1st of September 1939, the exact same day as its Italian counterpart.
Given that Venice provides a picturesque backdrop, France wanted an equally lavish setting. A list of ten cities was compiled. It had been rumoured that Biarritz would be home to this cinematographic event. But, after some pushback, Cannes eventually was chosen as the official destination. And to be frank, we can’t imagine it in any other setting than the French Riviera!
Despite its best efforts and the encroaching threat of war, the 1939 Festival du Film International only showed a single screening, William Dieterle’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. The first official event of the renowned cinematic event took place in 1946 and has persisted to this day. What began as a protest has transformed into one of the most anticipated and celebrated shows of the cultural calendar.
Where is Cannes Film Festival?
Located in the heart of the Cote d’Azur, Cannes breathes opulence and a lavish lifestyle. Known for culture, cinema and celebrity spottings, Cannes is the perfect setting. The emblematic red carpet is rolled down the steps of le Palais des Festivals et des Congres, signalling the beginning of the event. This is the primary venue for the festival and is nestled on La Croisette.
When Does It Take Place?
Cannes Film Festival festival typically lasts for almost two weeks in May. Attendees revel in two weeks of Mediterranean bliss and enjoy the sunny French Riviera. The 2024 exhibition ran from 14th - 25th of May.
How do you get invited to the Cannes Film Festival?
Gaining access to this high-brow event is not an easy task. Accreditations are reserved for industry professionals, celebrities and the press. However, Cannes offers Cinéphiles and Three Days in Cannes accreditation for film enthusiasts and educational groups to gain access to the Official selection titles. The Three Days in Cannes allows access to screenings at the Palais des Festivals. However, this is on a first-come-first-serve basis and non-industry professionals are not the priority.
Cinema lovers can still bask in the electric atmosphere by flocking to Cinéma de la Plage for public screenings and exploring sidebars such as Directors Fortnight and International Critics’ Week.
Fashion Designers Spotted On The Red Carpet
From Yanina Couture, Miu Miu, Dior, Armani Privé, Versace, Chanel and Dolce Gabbana, some of the hottest names in fashion could be seen from La Croisette to ascending the red steps of the Palais.
Best-dressed celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival (2024)
The Hollywood elite strolled the red carpet with glamorous and memorable looks. We could write about the best-dressed celebrities all day but we’ve (painstakingly) managed to whittle it down to just 8.
Bella Hadid
When we think of 3-in-1, thoughts of multi-use shampoo, conditioner and body wash spring to mind. And dear reader, it sends a shudder through your spine. However, a 3-in-1 for Bella Hadid is not synonymous with low effort, quite the opposite. Bella wowed spectators by sporting a trio of fascinating attire, solidifying her return to the red carpet.
Her first look proudly expressed her Palestinian heritage when she donned a Michael and Hushi vintage dress. The red and white gown was crafted from keffiyehs, which nods to her Arab roots. Later, she stepped out of Hotel Martinez dressed in a partially backless white Jacquemus. Her arrival at the L’Amour Ouf premiere gave everyone a taste of what they had been missing. Sporting a Versace archival pull, the dramatic and night-sky dark bustier dress cinched the waist before trailing to the ground.
Coco Rocha
Coca Rocha must have been exhausted from her unstoppable display of sartorial excellence. Each look was ornately avant-garde and honestly, will be a tough act to follow for her Cannes 2025 appearance. Either way, we can hardly wait to see it!
Arriving at Friday’s premiere of La Plus Precieuse Des Marchandises, the model was a botanical beauty. She wore a sculptural white Cheney Chan gown, made to resemble the delicate and unfurling petals of a flower. The verdant bedazzled border added an edge of realism to the look.
Rocha displayed her appreciation for the festival as she embodied the Palme d’Or for the Cannes Gala. Glittering gold *designs cut through the sheer underlay to produce a layer of opulence. The piéce de resistance perhaps, was the gold feather-festooned cape that draped over her head and shoulders.
Zoe Saldana
Spotted strutting the red carpet for the premiere of Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, expectations were high for Zoey Saldana. And she delivered. Saldana embodied the leading lady when she wore a black column Saint Laurent gown. The peach-coloured taffeta bow overskirt added an undeniably regal air to the look.
Anya Taylor-Joy
One word and one word only is acceptable for these red-carpet looks: A SLAY.*
While she was papped in many iconic looks, Anya Taylor-Joy simply climbed to the top of the best-dressed list on May 14th and 15th. On the 14th, she sported a sheer strapless number from Jacquemus Le Mariage collection. The white dress, adorned with floral motifs was both refreshing and simple.
If May 14th was the depiction of innocence and feminity, the 15th was sheer glamour and opulence. The champagne-toned Christian Dior gown was embellished with white crystals. The creation brought a twinkle to many spectators' eyes as the corseted bodice and tiered skirt transported onlookers to a fairytale world. The frock was finished with a diamond-encrusted statement necklace for the premiere of her movie, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Joey King
Joey King arrived with luscious, cascading waves on May 24. She wore a powder-blue Cong Tri full-length sheer gown, which was the perfect combination of risqué and whimsical. However, she positively shut down the closing ceremony with the dramatic reveal of her new hairstyle. The “Prada bob” rested just below her ears, with its blunt edges allowing the dress’ sweetheart neckline to be appreciated in its totality. Joey King’s new chop fused perfectly with the pastel-yellow Miu Miu number. The black and crystal embellished opera gloves aptly offset the soft tone of the gown.
Petition for a new red-carpet awards category for “Most Successful 24-Hour Transformation” to be created in her honour? Yes, please.
Elle Fanning
After touching down to the French Riveria in a baby-blue power suit, Elle Fanning unleashed her floral look on the red carpet. She arrived at the closing ceremony in a Gucci 2025 design fresh off the runway. The sheer backless gown was emblazoned with an array of sunflowers, matching Fanning’s dainty and graceful aura.
Winnie Harlow
Winnie Harlow’s debut at the Apprentice premiere was the image of a decidedly more fashionable Wild Wild West. Dripping in pearl detailing and covered in mesh panels, the two-piece by Tamara Ralph was chic, couture and cowgirl all at once. The look was completed with a diamond-latticed fluffy hat which shadowed her entire body. Rain-resistant? No. Iconic and unforgettable? Yes.
Greta Gerwig
We’ve seen Judge Barbie, Writer Barbie and Doctor Barbie. Greta Gerwig takes the stage as Jury President Barbie. This year, she was welcomed as the first American female director to be appointed the title of Jury President. Gerwig wowed in a bubblegum pink Balenciaga floor-length frock for the l’Amour Ouf premiere. The one-shouldered bodice combined with the princess silhouette to create a twist on a classic ballgown.
Next, Greta Gerwig upstaged the red carpet in her crimson Armani Privé dress. The deep-v decollete was offset by the rhinestone-embellished straps and the gleaming diamond choker from Chopard.
Greta Gerwig wore a series of truly stunning ensembles and perhaps the crowd-favourite is the custom Celine by Hedi Slimane. The navy palette was striking and the dangling pearl-drop earrings (also from Chopard) added an elevated air to the plain gown.
Where To Watch The Cannes Film Festival replay in the UAE?
If you haven’t managed to snag a spot among this year’s elite, fear not! Live streaming and replays of key points are broadcasted on dedicated websites and the Cannes YouTube channels for UAE film aficionados. You can catch behind-the-scenes glimpses, interviews with the stars, the customary walking up the red steps and more.
