If you are considering attending the Cannes Film Festival Marché du Film for the first time but are unsure whether you will be able to navigate it, keep reading. I was in your shoes before I decided to take the plunge this year! I hope sharing my experience will give you that final push you need and help you make the most of your time there next year.

First A Bit Of Context

I am a director based in Dubai. Earlier this year, a grounded sci-fi thriller feature film I wrote and will direct was selected for a series of workshops hosted by the French Institute. There, I received mentorship from reputable writers, sales agents, and distributors, who all recommended that I attend one of the major film markets to broaden my international network, especially because my film will be in English and feature a multinational cast. Honestly, I was afraid I would feel like a fish out of water at such a market without knowing anyone. However, my mentors reassured me and invited me to join them at Cannes, where they could make a few introductions. That is how I decided to attend the famous Marché du Film.

Let The World Know You Will Be In Cannes

I purchased a market badge which, aside from several other benefits, grants access to Cinando, an online database of film professionals from around the world. I didn’t fully take advantage of it, as I only started reaching out to people 10 days before the festival. Many were either already fully booked or didn’t respond. At the market, I met another filmmaker who had utilized Cinando to its full potential, having several meetings lined up every single day. He had identified companies that produce films in the same genre as his project, filtered out their staff attending the market (yes, there's even a filter for this!), and reached out to them a month in advance.

On the other hand, I’ve been lucky to be mentored by a prolific American independent film producer for the past two years. Once I told her I was heading to Cannes, she immediately reached out to her contacts and helped me book a few meetings. Additionally, I posted on my socials that I would be in Cannes a day before my flight, and a couple of friends connected me with their friends who were also attending.

Have Fun & Catch A Film!

I arrived at Cannes and immediately got in touch with my mentors from the institute. After sharing some food, drinks, and laughter with them in the picturesque streets and restaurants of Cannes, I started to feel like this wouldn't be as scary as I had thought.

We managed to book tickets for a screening that night, but I was feeling jetlagged and wanted to be fresh and full of energy for the market the next morning. However, one of my mentors pointed out that all of them had packed schedules, and this was one of the few evenings we could spend some time together. He emphasized that I must stay to watch the film when I could.

I didn’t necessarily love the film we saw, but the overall experience was incredible. It is a different experience to watch a film with an audience that appreciates cinema and is savvy with its language. As everyone in the theater laughed and sobbed together, you could feel the audience becoming part of the entire experience. I believe this is why many film directors, including some of the biggest ones in the world, want to show their films at the Cannes Film Festival. At least, it has become the number one reason for me to hope that I can do so one day.

Be Patient. There Is A Learning Curve.

I hit the market in the morning, full of excitement, but within just a few minutes, I started to feel overwhelmed. There were so many panels, workshops, masterclasses, happy hours, and cocktails—all happening simultaneously. Having studied industrial engineering before pursuing a career in film, that side of my brain often takes over in these situations, trying to optimize the outcome of all available options. I tried to attend everything I could and met as many people as possible. This resulted in many brief conversations that did not go further than, 'Where are you based? What do you do? Great, good luck!' My first day at the market felt like a failure, but in hindsight, it was a partial success and a necessary step. I now had a somewhat clear picture of the whole scene.

The following day, I made a list of a few places and events I thought were most relevant for me. Although my film takes place in today’s ordinary world, it has a high-concept premise that places it under the sci-fi genre. So, my first stop for the day was the Fantastic Pavilion, a hub for genre filmmakers. There, I connected with a producer who was interested in my project as soon as I mentioned its premise. For an hour, we discussed my project and what he was working on. We talked about our favorite films and finally, how we could collaborate. He then introduced me to another producer and investor whom he thought could be a good fit for my project. Today, we are in discussions with them to co-produce the film.

This experience taught me the importance of quality over quantity. For the remainder of my time in Cannes, I narrowed my focus down to a few places and events each day, and when I clicked with someone, I invested time to get to know them better and build a genuine connection.

The Stage 32 Community Is Key

I had the privilege of receiving an invitation to Stage 32’s Cannes Villa Party, where I finally met RB and Amanda in person! We had previously exchanged emails after a short film I directed became a finalist in Stage 32’s Short Film Contest in 2023. Meeting them face-to-face gave me the opportunity to thank them personally for everything that Stage 32 has done for me and the community.

As you can imagine, I rubbed shoulders with several seasoned executives at this event, making connections that will certainly help my career in the long run. I also met other industry professionals who were in my shoes a few years ago but have now attended Cannes many times. This changed everything.

They invited me to the next events they were attending and introduced me to their contacts who have worked on projects similar to mine. I was no longer worried about going to the right events or talking to the right people. I was now part of a group of like-minded individuals enjoying their time and discussing business when appropriate. Most importantly, I was building friendships with people whom I will call first when I arrive at Cannes next year.

Was It Worth It?

The short answer is yes, definitely. As we all know, networking is a crucial part of this business, and like many of you, I make an effort to meet everyone in the industry in my city. But being at a place like Cannes, which gathers people from all over the world, is an entirely different opportunity. Everyone attending the market is eager to find partners to make things happen and move forward in their journeys. I already knew filmmaking was a team sport, but in Cannes, I realized it’s an international one. I've built relationships with producers, directors, agents, cast, and crew members who I believe will not only help bring my current project to life but will also become long-term collaborators.

If you're reading this before heading to Cannes, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message. I’d be more than happy to connect and hopefully meet you there.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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