Written by Autumn Scott
Palm trees, long walks on the croisette, maybe a sighting of a movie star or two. These are all part of the experience with your 3 Days in Cannes pass, an incredible resource for the most coveted private film festival in the world.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon the information a few years ago, when one of my friend’s boyfriends, an avid moviegoer from Brazil, had told me that he had gone to Cannes. Excuse me, I thought, how could that be possible? Turns out, it’s easier than you think, but there are a few key criteria you need to meet.
One, you need to be aged between 18 and 28. Two, you need to be passionate about film. Three, you need to give me a generous tip for all this free information. Kidding about that one, but the first two still stand.
Be ready to submit a photo of an ID document or passport, a letter of motivation, and a small environmental fee of 20 euros. My biggest advice? Apply early. For your motivation letter, wax poetic for a page or two and tell them about your first movie experience or how you believe film has the power to change the world. Both things I’m pretty certain I touched on in my application. To note, if you’ve applied before, the accreditation office wants a letter talking about your experience. When you apply, you can choose between three sections: the first three days, the middle, or the last three days. Check the programme for what interests you, but the biggest action usually happens in the first or last block.
Accreditation for the program gives you access to the Official Selection (Competition, Out of Competition, Special Screenings, Un Certain Regard, Cannes Classics, Cinéma de la Plage) to the Cinéum (make sure you wait for the bus way earlier than you need) and the Palais des Festivals, as well as a dedicated programme at Les Arcades cinemas for the the Festival last Thursday and Friday. Once you’ve waited the nerve-wracking few months or so and you’re in, let the planning begin! Even better if you already start your preparations ahead of time, as flights and accommodation get more and more expensive the longer you wait. Makes sense in theory, but trust me, staring at your computer screen and seeing the prices jump never gets less painful. A few friends of mine decided to stay in Nice, which is easier on your wallet, but trains stop running after 10 PM, and Ubers are nearly impossible, so consider staying nearby in Mougins or Cannet. Tickets drop 4 days before the designated day (9:00 am CET, do not make my mistake of mixing up the time zones), so make sure you jot down the dates you want tickets for.
And a few last words of wisdom: unless you have superhuman speed, it will be almost impossible to get tickets during the first morning drop. Remain calm and check for tickets throughout the day. You will be penalized if you don’t use your tickets, so make sure to cancel or be a generous benefactor and pass them on to someone else. If you happen to get a ticket for Le Grand Lumière Theatre or the Debussy Theatre, do not (I repeat: do not) bring a tote bag or wear sneakers!
Make sure you check the programme for Cinema de la Plage, it’s a very fun experience. But most importantly, talk to someone in line, grab a pizza and sit on the beach and enjoy.
Bonne chance!
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