Part 2: Five reasons NOT to go to Cannes
Every year, many filmmakers assess whether attending Cannes is worthwhile, and here, continuing from Part One (read here), I’ll explore five scenarios where attending Cannes is not a good idea.
1 - You have a script or a pitch deck and you're looking for money
Every year at Cannes, I cross paths with eager writers and directors clutching their pitch decks, dreaming of snagging the attention of a major producer, distributor or streamer like Netflix or Studiocanal, hoping that a mere glimpse of their idea will set off fireworks.
If that sounds like you, brace yourself for a splash of cold water. The unfortunate truth is that it's incredibly rare for very established companies to even glance at your project, let alone consider it.
The crowd at Cannes isn’t scouting for just a good idea; they’re hunting for projects that are nearly ready to roll. Think directors nailed down, bankable leads on board, maybe even a chunk of funding secured. And they’re looking for those projects from established filmmakers, who have a career track record.
Without those pieces in place, your pitch will likely fall on very unreceptive ears, and you will have spent your hard earned money on zero results.
2 - You have a showreel and are looking for feature film projects
If you don’t have at least some feature film experience under your belt, or at the very least, had a short film premiere at a major festival, I recommend attaining those first before you spend your money. Without notable experience, festival premieres or awards, you might just end up being a guest at a party where nobody wants to know you yet.
Should the temptation prove irresistible and you find yourself packing your bags anyway, make a point to join the various mixers and networking events hosted at the National Pavilions. I’d say specifically visit your own country’s mixers; these are your peeps, the ones you’re most likely to end up working with.
3 - You're attending the Marché Du Film because it could increase your submission chances to the festival
It doesn’t. They are not connected and the festival programmers don’t care. It won’t hurt your chances, but it definitely won’t help. The only thing it hurts is your wallet.
4 - You want to approach famous actors to your project
Let’s put aside that it is extremely unlikely that you’ll have a face to face with someone, but let’s for some reason assume that your friend's friend knows someone who can sneak you into a swanky soirée filled with celebs—you're still not going to snag a movie deal or convince anyone significant to join your fledgling project.
There are higher profile actors who do come to Cannes to meet filmmakers from all over. However, even with them, they have very full schedules, and the likelihood that you’ll be able to arrange a meeting with them in Cannes, especially if you have never worked with them before, is extremely small.
5 - You're going to build your professional network
To network effectively at a high level in Cannes as a writer or director, having a good agent is crucial. While it's possible to stumble upon established producers and have a pleasant conversation (you might even score a business card), without an agent to set up the meeting, you'll likely end up ghosted. It's not necessarily because they didn't like you or your ideas; it's just that they meet so many people that they either forget who you are or don't see immediate business potential. Even with an agent, it's challenging, but without one, the odds of success are very slim.
In conclusion...
Cannes, for all its glitz and glam, is a business. The filmmakers who attend Cannes often attend all the other festivals too. They’re doing that because they will do business there, and not just maybe meet some people. That's why they spend as much money as they do to go.
For you to consider going to Cannes, it is worth asking the question, will going potentially earn you money. If your answer is not clear enough, I recommend you don’t spend your cash quite yet. It’s expensive to go and it needs to be good business to do so.
If you're set on going to Cannes, by all means, go and enjoy the experience—just manage your expectations. It's frighteningly easy to fritter away money there, so you'd better be crystal clear on why you're packing your bags and whether it's genuinely worth the trip.
In my view, the right time to go is when your finances can comfortably handle the trip, and there's a genuine chance of leaving with a list of potential clients or collaborators who can help you make money. It is a market after all.
I hope this rundown has been enlightening. And a big thank you to Petros Silvestros for chipping in with some crucial insights for this piece.