You too can be an international film star, well at least in the eyes of your friends. Most of you may have heard of The Cannes International Film
Festival which is held in May every year,
but some of you may not have heard of the Short Film Corner at the
Festival. I wouldn't suggest
making this a yearly thing but if you want to be seen and go to Cannes with your pals, check it out.
It's really cool because as an entrant into the Short Film Corner, you get passes to all the events at Cannes and access to tons
of parties. The great thing about it for
the new actor or film maker is that although there is a hefty entry fee, every short film is pretty much accepted. Also there are so many entries including some crap, that if your film is good you can
really stand out. A couple of tips, make your reservations early for a house in Cannes.
That's why I'm blogging now. If you have a film ready to go, make your reservations for lodging as soon as you
get a group together. If you haven't
made the film yet but you want to go, decide to make it and still make your reservations early.
You can enter
the Short Film Corner almost up until the last minute. A suggestion: you should stay in Cannes. People will tell you that you can stay in
Nice (cheaper) and commute by train but you will be going to parties and it's
not very convenient. Also make sure your
film is short.
You can have it screened
at the 'corner' by an audience several times if you want,
but it's hard to get an audience to attend if it is long. Also I would suggest
that you get as many actors who worked on the film,
and actors with films in the festival to bunk with you. The tally can be expensive for a week's
lodging in Cannes. Although the 'corner' accepts just about
every film, you cannot just give out
passes to your friends for the festival.
They must have been in the entered
film, worked on it or have their own
film in the festival. Additionally, once in the festival,
the Short Film Corner offers tons of workshops that are free to attend. Also get in with the different 'markets'
early, great networking. In other words,
Kodak will have its own representative office,
the American Film Market, German
Film Market as a way of advertising etc.
Also make sure you pack dress clothes. Cannes
parties are not casual; you may be invited onto a yacht or to a 'studio'
party. Don't look like a messy American;
you need to represent. Lastly and most
importantly, have tons of business
cards and marketing material for your film. You will be surprised how many
people you will meet from Los Angeles and New York. You can put out cards and fliers at the corner as well as give them out.
So ooh la la, you too can be an international film star!
-- Heather Langone
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