Cannes Film Festival

The essential information you need to know about the French Riviera's most famous annual event...

The Cannes Film Festival takes place annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès and at cinemas throughout the town.

General Information

  • The Official Festival website details all films in and out of competition, also updates and news on special events

  • Access to and parking in Cannes is very difficult during the festival; it is recommended to use the bus or train. SNCF has information about the trains.

Open to the Public

The Official Film Festival and the Film Market are closed to the general public.

Residents of Cannes can win a free ticket to a screening with the tirage au sort lucky draw. Applicants go to the Mairie and submit proof of residence in Cannes and then "wait and see".

Members of film (cinéphile) clubs, film schools or other cultural groups from the PACA region may also apply for "Cannes Cinéphiles" passes. Applications (with justification) must be made before early March.

Cinéma de la Plage

The open air cinema on the beach - Plage Macé - is opposite the Majestic hotel on the Croisette. Each night during the festival there are screenings of out of competition films and Cannes classics. A request for an invitation should be made to the Cannes Tourist Office or Cannes Cinéma’s Espace Cannes Cinéphiles (48 hours if possible) before the show.

The screenings are free. "Doors" open at 20:30; a live band plays with the screening beginning at 21:15. (Deck chairs are provided free).

  • Cannes Office de Tourisme
    At: Palais des Festivals, La Croisette
    Tel: 04 92 99 84 22
    Fax: 04 92 99 84 23
  • Cannes Cinéma
    At    : La Malmaison, 47, La Croisette
    Tel: 04 97 06 45 15
    email

The Festival on TV

Festival TV, Live TV Festival, broadcasts 24 hours a day in French and English during the festival. The TV Festival is broadcast in all hotel rooms on the Croisette and on the following channels:

  • Canal Satellite: channel 17 (in French)
  • Canal+: channel 17
  • NC Numeri-cable
  • Cannes local cable network: channel 9 and 91
  • Orange TV: channel 48

Other Events

International Critics’ Week: Most screenings are restricted to badge holders except:

  • Open to the public: screenings at the Miramar by invitation only. Invitations may be requested from the Espace Miramar, 35 rue Pasteur in Cannes
  • Screenings at the Cinema de Valbonne Sophia-Antipolis are open to the public

Director's Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs)
Films shown at the independent Quinzaine des Réalisateur are open to the public with season tickets or individual screening tickets only at the Théâtre Croisette at the Palais Stéphanie.

The Cannes Tourist Office provides general information but not tickets.

  • Cannes Tourism
    At: Office du Tourisme, Esplanade Georges Pompidou
    Tel: 04 92 99 84 22
    Fax: 04 92 99 84 23