Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes film festival was started to rival Mussolini's Venice film festival however the first film festival, scheduled for 1939, was cancelled because of another fascist dictator: Hitler, who invaded Poland 2 days before the film festival was due to start.

The "second" Cannes festival finally got under way in 1946 and to a certain extent set the tone for what was to follow: lots of complimentary wine, plenty of partying and as every film back then won a prize; minimal competition.

With better relations between Venice and Cannes by 1951 the Cannes film festival was moved to springtime (leaving Venice's film festival without competition in the Autumn). It was during the mid 50s when sex and scandal were added to the Cannes glamour: Sophia Loren's plunging necklines stealing the show from Gina Lollobrigida, while English star Simone Silva removed her bra altogether! In 1956, Brigitte Bardot, surely the epitome of a Cannes festival starlet, made her famous first real appearance.

Now, of course, the outfits are even more skimpy as each starlet competes for attention from the several thousand journalists and photographers.

Despite all the posing and parading the film festival de Cannes remains an important event for the movie industry. The festival plays the role of Europe's biggest trade fair for film makers and investors as well as being an important showcase for European films - in particular generating publicity for "arthouse" movies that would otherwise fall below the radar of the Hollywood big cheeses. Many small producers (and not so small) use the festival to launch their new films here and find new distribution routes.

The Cannes film festival fortunately recognizes the public as essential, and as such it is quite possible to mix and mingle with the stars and movie moguls. Getting in to screenings is also possible but tends to demand a share of luck and patience: there are tickets made available to the public, but the queues can be tiresome. Even better, Cannes townsfolk are allocated tickets, so if you are polite and ask around you could just pick up a spare ticket from a stranger!

During the festival the big Paris clubs take up residence along la Croisette - often sponsored by a drinks company - providing you the Cannes visitor with endless entertainment options.

The official film Festival website and this Cannes film festival "Virgins" guide should help you plan your visit.

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