Cannes film festival is the most famous film festival in the world located in the southern France resort of Cannes. The event is reserved for film industry professionals who need an accreditation to gain access, although the Cinéma de la Plage (cinema on the beach) is available to the non-accredited public via open air screenings of films out of competition and Cannes film festival classics. Cannes Film Festival 2016 will be taking place from 11-22 May and the 2016 Official Selection will be announced during the 14th April press conference. As with travelling to any event or location, it is important to remember a few basics when travelling to Cannes Film Festival.
EHIC
When travelling to Cannes Film Festival, or any European event, it is important to carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in order to ensure that you are always going to be safe when travelling abroad. Even if you believe that you have no chance of falling ill, or being injured, remember that there is always a possibility. A lot of the Cannes Film Festival is an intricate selection of parties, awards and sidebars, and no matter where you are in the world there is always a chance that something can go wrong. An EHIC is free and gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or for free and will cover immediate and clinically necessary state-funded treatment until your return home. Carrying your EHIC in your purse or wallet will be of no inconvenience to you and can help ensure your safety and well-being.
Formal Dress & Day Time Clothes
If you’re attending the Cannes Film Festival, you probably already know that as soon as night falls the tuxedos and ball gowns come out for the red carpet, parties and other glittering events involved in the festival. Even if you plan on hanging out at some of the local hotel bars during the event, formal dress is still a requirement when it comes to the festival. In 2015, the festival even turned women not wearing heels away from the red carpet. For the premieres, hundreds of hopefuls dress in evening wear and stand outside the premiere venue, the Palais des Festivals, with begging boards to try and get into some of the films, although only selected accredited industry can get premiere tickets. Nevertheless, during the day there is no specific dress code for the festival. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in and pack some comfortable shoes as you are likely to be doing a lot of walking along cobblestone terrain and traversing slippery yacht floors.
Portable Phone Charger
If you’re a professional away from the office needing to take business calls or simply away from family, then you’re likely to want to be on your phone, or have it to hand a lot of the time throughout the festival. Sleep is more or less non-existent during the Cannes Film Festival and frequent trips back to hotels are unlikely unless you want to miss out on some of the best films and the best parties. Therefore, carrying a portable phone charger with you is a must. Whether it’s a charging case, a handbag with portable charger inside (yes these do exist) or a simple additional charging device like a Mophie portable charger, there are lots of options to keep your phone charged on the go.
Sun Cream
If you’re out and about during the day, at meetings or screenings on the beach, or at breakfasts at fancy hotels, the chances are you’re going to come into contact with the sun at some point, often for lengthy periods of time. The French Riviera often has mixed weather but it’s not unheard of for daytime temperatures to nudge mid 20s and higher. Therefore, to save yourself the hassle and inconvenience of sunburn, bringing some form of sun cream along with you is always recommended. Nothing would be more embarrassing that turning up the same colour as the red carpet.
Whether you’re visiting Cannes Film Festival for business or for pleasure, it is important to bring with you a variety of items including an EHIC, a selection of transferrable day and night clothes, phone charger and sun cream so you can be sure to get the most out of Cannes Film Festival. Bringing a camera is a big no, but there are plenty of photographers and press at the Festival to capture the best moments for you. With thousands of films submitted every year, Cannes Film Festival remains an important marker in the history of the film industry.