Watch award winning movies, hear the actors and directors speak about the movies they make and believe whilst enjoying a wonderful holiday at one of the most fascinating place on earth-Cannes Every year the beautiful city of Cannes located along the French Riviera brims with activity when the annual Cannes film festival takes place. First launched in September 1946, the festival now in its 66th year showcases films of all genres from across the world at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres-its venue since 1949. An invitation only festival, this year the 11- day festival is all set to take place from 15th to 26th May and like all previous year events, movie stars from around the world are expected to grace the occasion as also the media and the paparazzi too.
If you too want to be a part of this mega event, want to see your favourite movie stars live in action and also enjoy the blissful weather and atmosphere of Cannes, we suggest that you book your holiday apartment and home well in advance. The resort town is bound to get crowded with the onset of the film festival and chances of you getting a cosy short term let near the beach or overlooking the promenade will become less if you delay, so the sooner you book , better are your chances of getting a gite of your choice.
About the festival
At the Cannes film festival movies are showcased under various categories depending upon their genres. Different juries are selected as per the categories who then choose the film that will receive the award. For example this year Jane Campion will be presiding over the Short film and Cinefondation . Juries are selected for 3 main categories:
• The Competition
• UN Certain regard
• Cinefondation and Short Film
Awards are then allotted under these categories. The premier award of the film festival is the Palme d'Or or the Golden Palm which is presented to the director of the best feature film coming under the official competition. Other award includes the Camera d'Or or Golden Camera for the for the best first feature film; the Short Film Palme d'Or and the jury prize besides a host of other awards that are given for the best actor, actress, director, screenplay etc.
Over the years several innovations and changes have been introduced at the festival to give it a unique character. The recent ones being in 2011, when it was decided that every year, one country will be given the opportunity to showcase their films. This year, the guest country will be India who will be celebrating a centenary of its cinema.
Know Cannes
This breathtaking beautiful city lying along the Cote d'Azur or French Riviera as it is known to come to prominence during the 18th century first as a health resort and later as a premier holiday destination among the European aristocracy. Known for its Mediterranean climate and aquamarine bluish sea, the resort town has now become popular among people of all genres. Though the city is famous for its luxury shops, restaurants, and hotels, there are still a few attractions which hold the visitor mesmerized. Some of those attractions are:
The Promenade de la Croisette
The Promenade de la Croisette 2km long along the Mediterranean shore, this is where the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is located along with some of world renowned shops, hotels and restaurants. A beautiful waterfront avenue with palm trees, the Croisette is the best place for you to rent out a vacation rental should you wishes to stay close to the venue and the sea.
Ile Sainte-Marguerite
Ile Sainte-Marguerite – this small island located half a mile off shore from Cannes is popular for various water sports. Their main highlights however are its prison cells where “The Man in the Iron Mask" was imprisoned for 11 long years. Other attractions on the island include the Musee de la Mer which features items recovered from ancient R oman and Saracen shipwrecks.
Ile Saint-Honorat
Ile Saint-Honorat- located a mile offshore from Cannes, the island is home to around 30 Cistercian monks. It houses a old abbey (Abbey of Lérins) and a monastery shops that sells honey and wine that are produced on the island itself.
Other attractions at Cannes include the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence that houses artifacts from prehistoric to present and the early 18th century villas which can be viewed only from the outside.
In additions to this there are several other festivals and events that are organized in Cannes from time to time notable of which are the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival which awards works in advertising; Festival de la Plaisance – an annual event for boating enthusiasts and a host of other events.
Getting to Cannes
The best way to reach Cannes is by air. The nice Cote d’Azur Airport is the nearest airport located some 24 kms away from where you can take the airport shuttle. Alternatively you can also opt for the TGV which connects the city of Nice, Marseille, Lyon, Paris and Toulouse in France as well as to Brussels, Milan, Basel, Rome and Venice. So, irrespective of whether you are staying in a serviced apartment or a holiday apartment in Paris or in a beautiful villa in Milan or Venice, you can always reach Cannes comfortably for the festival as well as a for a holiday. You can also reach Cannes by the ferry provided you have the patience as it can take around 2-4 hours depending from which port you sail from.
