The Cannes Film Festival, the biggest event in world cinema, is set to commence at the eponymous city in France on May 14. It’ll go on till May 25, screening dozens of films in several categories, and providing a platform for both established professionals and newcomers in cinema.
This prestigious film event takes place every year during the month of May for two weeks in the town of Cannes on the Cote d’Azur in France. Started in the year 1946, the festival acknowledges and celebrates the best films of the year. It has become a hub for meeting directors, actors, producers, A-list personalities and celebrities from around the globe.
Singapore at Cannes 2024
Following the success of two Made-with-SG feature films winning at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, more films produced by Singapore talents have been given the opportunity to shine at the prestigious annual event this year. These include two feature films — Viet and Nam, which was co-produced by Singaporean producer Lai Weijie and will be competing in the Un Certain Regard section, and Mongrel by Singaporean director Chiang Wei Liang, which will be screening at Directors’ Fortnight. Additionally, two short films by makers from the country have also received the Cannes nod.
Withered Blossoms by Lionel Seah was selected out of over 2,260 submissions from film schools around the world to compete in the La Cinef (formerly Cinefondation), a section catered specially for young filmmakers and students. Tan Siyou’s short film Cold Cut will be featured at both Directors’ Fortnight and the Singapore-Philippines pavilion.
Cannes Red Carpet
Cannes Film Festival is famous for its extravagant red carpet, where the biggest faces across the globe showcase their fashionable looks and attire, attracting the media from around the world. The red carpet serves some of the iconic looks and fashionable moments.
Screening of films
The significant attraction and the motive of the festival is the screening of a wide variety of films. The films presented at the event feature independent films, new film releases, and international cinema. All the celebrities, actors, directors, filmmakers and experts from the industry watch the screening.
Biggest film competition
Above all, one of the prestigious events at the Cannes Film Festival is the award ceremony. The official competition takes place at the heart of the renowned Palais des Festivals. Some of the biggest awards presented in the award categories include the Palme d’Or, the Best Director Prize, the Jury Prize, the Grand Prize, and the award for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Networking hub for professionals
The film festival is a significant networking hub for filmmakers, actors, directors, distributors, producers, and many industry experts to connect, collaborate and do business. The grand event provides these personalities with a platform to exchange ideas, honour film enthusiasts, discuss opportunities and create new future partnerships in the world of cinema.
The Cannes Film Festival has remained one of the most significant events in the film industry over the years, that embodies cinema and reflects its revolution around the world.
(The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)