La Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde Selections

Along the Riviera side's International Pavillion is a tent right next to Majestic Beach, that houses the French Institute's Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde, which has dedicated its practice to discovering young artists in the Southern international market. Every year, 10 directors along with their producers are scouted, and hosted at the Cannes Film Festival in this very booth. This year hosted many talented directors, all with unique vision and a fresh take on independent films. As we all scurried about the small and chic tent they gracefully posed for photos, chatted with everyone and seemed genuinely excited to be a part of it all. The French Institue states on their website that these newcomers will "benefit from personalized support, learn to position themselves on an international market and supplement their financial round through international co-productions." It was humbling to be in a room with so many talented directors who, thanks to La Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde, are able to branch out and extend their reach to new markets and audiences around the world. 

This years 10 chosen products are:

Today at the NEXT Pavilion there was an event called Achieving Impact Through Theatrical Screenings. The speaker was Richard Matson, who is Head of Distribution at Gathr Films.

Gathr Films is one of the many organizations to be featured at the NEXT Pavilion and they all have one thing in common, they are a part of the future of film. The NEXT Pavilion was created just last year in order to highlight organizations that approach film in new and innovative ways.

At today’s workshop, Matson spoke about Gathr Films and their “Theatrical On Demand.” This is the main service provided by Gathr, which is audience driven movie screenings. A person requests a screening of one of the films Gathr has, and then if enough people in their area sign up to see it, the film comes to their town or city.

By Maya Kirby

EMILY BROWNING, LUKE GRIMES, ASHLEY GREENE & RON LIVINGSTON Shack Up in New Dark Crime Thriller

CANNES. May 16, 2015 – Arclight Films is proud to announce the world market premiere of SHANGRI-LA SUITE, the new dark dramatic thriller starring EMILY BROWNING (POMPEII, SLEEPING BEAUTY, SUCKER PUNCH) and LUKE GRIMES (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, AMERICAN SNIPER, TAKEN 2) as well as ASHLEY GREENE (THE TWILIGHT SAGA) and RON LIVINGSTON (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, OFFICE SPACE, SWINGERS) in Cannes. The film is currently in post-production and Arclight Films will be showing first-look footage to distributors in Cannes.

“We’re extremely excited to be introducing such an enthralling film as SHANGRI-LA SUITE to buyers in Cannes for the very first time,” said Clay Epstein, SVP Sales and Acquisitions for Arclight Films. “The film is incredibly entertaining with major worldwide appeal – it’s fun, captivating, thrilling and Browning and Grimes’ chemistry is off the charts. To say this is a sexy film doesn’t even begin to describe their chemistry.”

The cast members of SHANGRI-LA SUITE are all able to claim impressive and formidable followings, resumes and combined box office earnings into the billions of dollars (US). Livingston made a name for himself and earned a major cult following with his roles in OFFICE SPACE and SWINGERS and boasts lifetime box office earnings of more than $425M (US). Browning followed suit with her roles in films like SUCKER PUNCH, SLEEPING BEAUTY and POMPEII and already has box office earnings nearing the $300M (US) mark. Grimes also boasts a consistently growing fan-base since that has achieved a massive boost after his latest starring-role in FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. The film’s sequel has already been announced with Grimes back in the lead as the formidable Elliot Grey.

SHANGRI-LA SUITE tells the story of the offbeat star-crossed lovers, Jack (GRIMES) and Karen (BROWNING), and their dark adventure on the road to Los Angeles. After breaking out of the mental institution where they met, the two love birds leave behind a trail of dead bodies to help Jack fulfill what he thinks is his personal life mission: assassinating his idol, Elvis Presley.

“We are very excited to be working with Arclight on SHANGRI-LA SUITE,” said producer Matthew Perniciaro. “Eddie has created a bold, unique and stunning film highlighted by wonderful performances from Emily, Luke and Ron and Arclight Films’ enthusiasm for it has been unmatched. We look forward to working with them to bring it to the international marketplace."

The film is directed by Eddie O’Keefe from a script by O’Keefe and Chris Hutton. Michael Sherman and Matthew Perniciaro of Bow and Arrow Entertainment produced SHANGRI-LA SUITE with Tariq Merhab of Anonymous Content in co-production with Haven Entertainment, Bona Fide and Freedom Media Capital.

About Arclight Films: Arclight Films is one of the world’s leading international sales companies for theatrical, television and home video. Arclight Films has sold over 300 motion pictures including the Best Picture Oscar® winner CRASH, and Golden Globe® Best Picture Nominee BOBBY. Arclight Films additionally encompasses subsidiary labels Darclight Films, the edgy genre-driven division of the company whose films include the worldwide horror hit WOLF CREEK, action thriller BAIT 3D and a current slate that includes WOLF CREEK 2, and Easternlight, a specialty arm showcasing Asian cinema with the largest film library of any non Asian-based indie film label. Films sold under the Easternlight banner include the worldwide blockbuster FORBIDDEN KINGDOM starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, 14 BLADES starring Donnie Yen, legendary auteur Chen Kaige's SACRIFICE. The latest additions to Easternlight include SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL starring Li Bingbing, OUTCAST starring Nicholas Cage, SPECIAL ID starring Donnie Yen, BADGES OF FURY starring Jet Li and Cannes Film Festival “Directors Fortnight” official selection and Toronto International Film Festival Gala Selection DANGEROUS LIASIONS starring Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung and Jang Dong Gun. Some of the latest additions to the Arclight Films’ slate include PREDESTINATION starring Ethan Hawke now in release through Sony Pictures, LAST KNIGHTS starring Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman, RECLAIM starring John Cusack, now in release through Lions Gate, and Australian Blockbuster PAPER PLANES starring Sam Worthington. Arclight Films maintains a presence at all major motion picture and television festivals and markets with offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing and Toronto. For more information on Arclight Films please visit www.arclightfilms.com

ABOUT BOW AND ARROW ENTERTAINMENT: Founded in 2014 by longtime independent film producers Matthew Perniciaro and Michael Sherman, Bow and Arrow Entertainment has gained recognition by producing award winning documentary and narrative feature films, as well as providing an independent financing platform for both emerging and established filmmakers to bring new stories to the medium of film. Current films include 2015 Berlinale and SXSW entry ONE AND TWO, from director Andrew Droz Palermo; SHANGRI-LA SUITE from director Eddie O’Keefe; GRASS STAINS from director Kyle Wilamowski; JOSHY, from director Jeff Baena; KICKS, from filmmaker Justin Tipping; CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER from director Brady Corbet; Rob Zombie’s newest film 31; MALFUNCTIONS AND COINCIDENCES from writer/director Michael Angarano; OG, a documentary on NYC skateboarding legend, Harry Jumonji, from director Erica Hill and MARVEL 75 YEARS: FROM PULP TO POP documenting the 75 year history of the legendary comic book company.

-Edited by Vanessa McMahon-

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi kindly attended the opening ceremony of THAI NIGHT 2015 at Cannes, France.

            On May 15, 2015, HRH Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi kindly attended the opening ceremony of THAI NIGHT at Cannes, France, organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce - at Salon Croisette, Hotel Majestic Barrière.

Mrs. Apiradi Tantraporn – Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mrs. Nuntawan Sakuntanaga – Director-General, Department of International Trade Promotion, distinguished guests of film industry and related business, and members of the press were at the venue to welcome Her Royal Highness.

            HRH Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi welcomed guests and gave her remarks:

Fifteen years ago Director Wisit Sasanatieng made a film called 'Fah Talai Jone'. It became the first Thai film to be included in the Cannes Film Festival programme. It was the beginning of a wonderful journey for Thai film-makers at Cannes. This was a new style of cinema, ground-breaking, experimental, sometimes controversial, but unmistakably Thai. When Apichatpong Weerasethakul brought 'Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives', to Cannes, he returned with one of the most prestigious films awards in the world – the 'Palme d'Or'. This year, he will return to Cannes with his latest film 'Cemetery of Splendour' in the Un Certain Regard section.

But of course, Cannes is so much more than just a film festival. It is a leading marketplace, where projects are born, nurtured, and find a home in the world. It reminds us that cinema is perhaps unique in being both an art-form and an industry.

Her Royal Highness also paid tribute to Thai Action star  Tony Jaa, the Thai action star, who brought his skills to the Hollywood movie 'Fast and Furious 7', perhaps contributing to it becoming the most successful of the series.

Mrs. Apiradi Tantraporn, Deputy Minister of Commerce gave her remarks:

Her Royal Highness’s continued support for the promotion of Thai Cinema has been hugely instrumental in helping our films and our industry gain worldwide exposure. I am extremely pleased to report that the Thai film industry has continued to strengthen its position both at the local box office and in the international market. Last year, our domestic box office reached over USD34M. And the revenue from foreign film productions shot in Thailand reached over USD58M. Our film industry is becoming a major component of our economic dynamism. With the prospect of reinforced collaboration within the Southeast Asian countries on the eve of the Asean Economic Community, Thailand is consolidating its status as the region’s main content producer and production hub. 'Thai Night' is a perfect venue to pursue Thailand's aim towards greater international co-operation.

On this special night, HRH Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi introduced a performance entitled “A Window on Thailand”, which gave a small glimpse of the culture, sights, sounds, and tastes of Thailand. Thai contemporary style was highlighted throughout the live performances, which started with Thai ballads sung by “Nopporn Perdpraew” together with well-known opera singer “Zion Daorattanahong”, followed by a screening of a showcase of recent Thai productions, highlighting the strength of the Thai film industry.

In the 68th Cannes Film Festival, May 13–24, 2015, the official selection presents 53 films in total. Thai film-maker Apichatpong Weerasethakul this year presents his latest film – ‘Cemetery of Splendour’ playing in the Un Certain Regard section. The film tells the story of a lonely middle-aged housewife who takes care of a soldier with a sleeping sickness. She then falls into a hallucination that triggers dreams, phantoms, and romance.

Thai Production Companies and Entrepreneurs are represented at booths in the Marché du Film, including Benetone (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., De Warrenne Pictures Co.,Ltd., Five Star Production Co.,Ltd., Handmade Distribution Co.,Ltd., Kantana Group Public Co.,Ltd., Klongchai Pictures Co.,Ltd., and Mono Film Co.,Ltd. located at Palais level 01 No. 20.02 – 22.01 with the support of the  Department of International Trade Promotion. A Business Matching program will be held from May 13 – 17, 2015, with online meeting reservations, ensuring that these companies have maximum opportunities to do business and forge new international relationships. Currently, more than 40 appointments have been made.

The Thailand Film Office will host a Welcome Reception on 16th May at the Thai Pavilion, the International Village Riviera No. 138 from 3pm to 6pm. Filmmakers will be able to learn about the potential advantages and opportunities for international film production in Thailand.

The Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture is organizing the Thai Film Pitching Project 2015 presenting three selected Thai film projects to international film investors and distributors at the Cannes Film Festival 2015. The three projects selected are all  from well-regarded Thai filmmakers, including ‘Uncle Ho’ by Kasemsak Wongratpanya, ‘Suriya Luktung’ by Wisit Sasanatieng, and ‘Sydney’ by Wasunan Hutawach.

CINÉFONDATION

Title: ANFIBIO / AMPHIBIAN
Filmmaker and Script: Héctor Silva Núñez
Production: Marco Olmos & Héctor Silva Núñez
15 min / Spanish/ Short Film / Fiction
Production company: Films 808
Year: 2015

Synopsis:
Jesús lives with his father on the shore of a large lake. José, his older brother, has returned home carrying with him a criminal past. This morning, Jesús accompanies him in search for a job that would help restore his reputation. After today, Jesús will no longer be able to look at his amphibian surroundings with the same eyes.

Wed. May 20th, 14:30 h. THE BUÑUEL THEATRE

MARCHÉ DU FILM

The National Film Board of Venezuela (CNAC) has a booth at Marché du Film, at Riviera A19

Contact:
festivalesint@cnac.gob.ve

Market Screenings

Title: LO QUE LLEVA EL RÍO / GONE WITH THE RIVER
Filmmaker: Mario Crespo
Production: Isabel Lorenz, Mario Crespo
104 min / Warao, Spanish/ Feature Film / Drama
Production company: Yakarí, Asociación Civil
Year: 2015

Synopsis:
Dauna dared to be different. She faced the ancestral practices of her culture and she paid the price. She made hard decisions which change not only her live but also of the others as well. Without giving up before defeats and loses, these led her to reconcile and become part of a legend herself.

Sat. May 16th 15:30 h PALAIS F
Tue. May 19th 14:00 h PALAIS G

Title: 3 BELLEZAS / 3 BEAUTIES
Direction, production, script and edition: Carlos Caridad Montero
97 min / Spanish/ Feature Film / Drama
Production company: Producciones Nomenclatura Films
Sales:Media Luna New Films
Year: 2014

Synopsis:
Perla is obsessed with having a beauty queen in the family and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make her dream come true, including destroying her own family. 3 Beauties is a critical view of the beauty competitions that have rigged the stereotype of Venezuelan women.

Sun. May 17th 15:30 h PALAIS F

Short Film Corner

NO JILE, by Carolina Dávila; GRAZIA by Carlos Pérez; EL NIÑO by Valeria Bolívar; CAJA DE FÓSFOROS by Juan Fermín; EL RETRATO by Alan Ohep and DESCONECTADO, by Ricardo González

Producers Network

Mariana Rondón (Bad Hair, 2014) and Marité Ugás (The kid who lies, 2011) participate in the Producers Network program with their next project CONTACTADO.

QUINZAINE DES RÉALISATEURS

Colombian long feature film in coproduction with Venezuela and Argentina EL ABRAZO DE LA SERPIENTE, directed by Ciro Guerra, will have its world premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight of the 68th Cannes International Film Festival.

Frid. May 15th 09:00 h Théâtre Croisette JW Marriott
Frid. May 15th 17:15 h Théâtre Croisette JW Marriott
Sat. May 16th 18:30 h Studio 13
Sat. May 16th 22:30 h Cinema Les Arcades (Salle 1)
Mon. May 18th 16:00 h Cinéma Alexandre III

Salma Hayek, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Parker Posey and Others to Participate

(Cannes, 15 May) Leading entertainment journal Variety has partnered with UN Women’s HeForShe campaign to host a landmark event on the subject of gender equality within the film industry. Taking place on Saturday 16 May, speakers include Academy Award®-nominated actress and producer Salma Hayek (FRIDA), Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (BRIDE & PREJUDICE), and actress Parker Posey (IRRATIONAL MAN).

Taking place at the Radisson Blu, the actresses will be joined by award-winning filmmakers Christine Vachon and Elizabeth Karlsen, producers of the much-anticipated film CAROL, which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The discussion will be moderated by Variety’s Co-Editor-In-Chief, Claudia Eller and UN Women’s Elizabeth Nyamayaro.

Variety Publisher, Michelle Sobrino commented: “The issue of gender equality within our industry has rarely been in greater need of frank and open discussion. We’re proud to partner with UN Women and to welcome some of the industry’s leading creative voices to impart their experiences and insights on this imperative issue.”

“Following the launch of last year’s Emma Watson-fronted HeForShe campaign, the empowerment of women within the film space has been under a greater spotlight than ever before,” emphasized Ms. Nyamayaro, Senior Advisor to UN Women’s Executive Director. “Our partnership with Variety in this initiative keeps the momentum rolling, and offers a platform for some of cinema’s leading female film-makers and performers to have their say at the industry’s most prestigious festival.”

The charity sponsor is Frédérique Constant, a Swiss watch Manufacturer from Geneva, Switzerland. As a brand, Frédérique Constant has already created a legacy for supporting charities, and looks forward to gifting a beautiful lady timepiece, which will be auctioned after the event for the benefit of UN Women.

Find out more on social media with the hashtag #HeForShe or by searching @HeForShe on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Following this afternoons discussion on the impact of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy on Europe’s film and audiovisual sector, a brief overview of talking points and quotes for your reference.

Talking Points / Quotes from Panellists:

Lord David Puttnam (producer of award-winning films including The Mission, The Killing Fields and Chariots of Fire)

- “This is a political argument that needs to be won. What the commission is trying to do with the Digital Single Market makes sense in a broader context, there is a case for it, but it contains ill-thought legislation. Unintended consequences haunt almost every piece of legislation. And that’s what we are seeing on the audiovisual side.”

- “There are four un-founded “truths” pushing this debate. One is the idea that this is a battle between the old world versus the new digital world, and that the old world are just in the way. Two, that this is an argument over consumer choice, and blocking consumer choice.”

- “My own view is that the DSM will never be fully implanted, only half way, and this could cause even great problems.”

Anders Kjaerhauge from Zentropa (producers of internationally award-winning directors and screenwriters such as Lars von Trier, Thomas Vinterberg and Susanne Bier)

- “Our model is a three-legged chair: private money, public money and pre-sales. In the case of A ROYAL AFFAIR pre-sales represented 37% of the full budget. Generally speaking, the share of pre-sales in our films is between 20-60%. This is a discussion we need to have, but my worry is that they are beginning to cut down one of the legs of the industry. My big worry is that we could be in a situation where Zentropa will say ‘can we produce films in the future?’ I may just become a catalogue manager.”

Jaume Roures from Mediapro (producer of award-winning films including Midnight in Paris, El Botón de Nácar, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Carnage)

- “The other issue not being addressed by the commission is piracy. This is particularly relevant for Spain which is the second most affected area for this after China. This doesn’t just affect sport, it effects every segment of the industry.”

Michael Ryan from GFM Films (which has financed, sold and produced over 200 films, with recent productions including Legendary; at the Cannes film market with the new Monty Python)

- “I find it deeply ironic that the commission is now suggesting that we stop the idea of territorial sales just when the digital market is able to be monetised. When Spain was and is devastated by DVD piracy, the commission did nothing about piracy. Just when the Digital market is paying for some of that loss, the commission is now proposing to take away our ability to properly monetise films this way.”

Olivier Mille from Artline Films (producers of acclaimed documentaries; at Cannes Classics section with the documentary Hitchcock/Truffaut)

- “I’m a little bit surprised that the European commission is itself in a certain way starting to destroy what they have built for the last 15 or 20 years”

- “More recently with Hitchcock/Truffaut... the only way to produce this was to have a partner in the US, and of course in exchange he gets territories and rights to recoup his investment. The disappearance of the possibility of giving rights in exchange of co-production would make the whole system collapse. Co-production and presales are essential for television, documentaries and animation as well as for feature film.”

The panel was hosted by CEPI (European Coordination of Independent Producers), EUROCINEMA (Association de Producteurs de Cinéma et de Télévision), FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations), FIAD (International Federation of Film Distributors Associations), IFTA (The Independent Film & Television Alliance), IVF (International Video Federation - Publishers of Audiovisual Content on Digital Media and Online) and the MPA (Motion Picture Association).

-Edited by Vanessa McMahon-

BRANDON ROUTH (SUPERMAN RETURNS, SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD) Stars in Sci-Fi Adventure That Will Have Audiences Looking for their Life Rafts

CANNES (May 16, 2015) – Darclight, the edgy genre-driven arm of international powerhouse Arclight Films, is pleased to announce that LOST IN THE PACIFIC, a futuristic sci-fi thriller starring BRANDON ROUTH (SUPERMAN RETURNS) and YUQUI ZHANG (CJ7), will make its World Market Premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The film is directed by Vincent Zhou and is currently in post-production, scheduled for release later this year, starting with China.

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to introduce LOST IN THE PACIFIC to buyers for the very first time in Cannes,” said Gary Hamilton, Managing Director of Arclight Films. “The entire team, both in front of and behind the camera, has created a thrilling masterpiece that is sure to entice and exhilarate distributors and audiences all over the world."

LOST IN THE PACIFIC is a mysterious and riveting sci-fi adventure following a group of passengers stranded on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean after their luxury airliner makes an emergency landing. To make matters worse, as they try their best to survive and figure out a way to get the plane back in the air, they soon learn the island has been overrun with strange mutated creatures that take passengers off, one by one. Once in the air again, the two surviving military personnel set course for a secret military base. Little do they know, they’ve taken a sinister stowaway along for the ride.

“We are excited to be working with Arclight Films on the launch of LOST IN THE PACIFIC,” said Zhou. “Huace film studio will be our main domestic distributor in China and LOST IN THE PACIFIC will be the first Chinese movie to be distributed by its own distribution department. Huace is the second largest public company in the entrainment industry in China and has been developing a successful model for distribution and looks forward to the film’s release later this year.”

Darclight is handling worldwide sales outside of China and will be presenting footage to international distributors for the first time in Cannes.

About Arclight Films: Arclight Films is one of the world’s leading international sales companies for theatrical, television and home video. Arclight Films has sold over 300 motion pictures including the Best Picture Oscar® winner CRASH, and Golden Globe® Best Picture Nominee BOBBY. Arclight Films additionally encompasses subsidiary labels Darclight Films, the edgy genre-driven division of the company whose films include the worldwide horror hit WOLF CREEK, action thriller BAIT 3D and a current slate that includes WOLF CREEK 2, and Easternlight, a specialty arm showcasing Asian cinema with the largest film library of any non Asian-based indie film label. Films sold under the Easternlight banner include the worldwide blockbuster FORBIDDEN KINGDOM starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, 14 BLADES starring Donnie Yen, legendary auteur Chen Kaige's SACRIFICE. The latest additions to Easternlight include SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL starring Li Bingbing, OUTCAST starring Nicholas Cage, SPECIAL ID starring Donnie Yen, BADGES OF FURY starring Jet Li and Cannes Film Festival “Directors Fortnight” official selection and Toronto International Film Festival Gala Selection DANGEROUS LIASIONS starring Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung and Jang Dong Gun. Some of the latest additions to the Arclight Films’ slate include PREDESTINATION starring Ethan Hawke now in release through Sony Pictures, LAST KNIGHTS starring Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman, RECLAIM starring John Cusack, now in release through Lions Gate, and Australian Blockbuster PAPER PLANES starring Sam Worthington. Arclight Films maintains a presence at all major motion picture and television festivals and markets with offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing and Toronto. For more information on Arclight Films please visit www.arclightfilms.com

-Edited by Vanessa McMahon-

Yesterday evening the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, in collboration with www.filmfetsivals.com, threw an amazing party at the Long Beach Plage on the Croisette, celebrating its 30th anniversary! 

Other than the Palme d’Or, when thinking of symbols of the Cannes Film Festival, the poster for the year may come to mind. The unveiling of the poster design is a pretty big deal each year, and this year did not disappoint. The poster features an image of actress Ingrid Bergman, who is a crucial figure in the history of the festival. She served as the Jury President of one year of the festival, and she has been in countless films.

When walking around Cannes, one cannot help but see the poster. It is in most shop windows and there are larger displays of it at the Palais des Festivals. When I asked festival attendees on their thoughts on the poster, many agreed that it is “simple,” but also some added that it is “elegant.” I talked to a man purchasing a poster in the official festival shop in the Marché du Film who admitted that he “didn’t like it at first”, but now the design has grown on him.

Undoubtedly a copy of the poster makes for a great souvenir from the Cannes Film Festival. The poster can be found in festival shops near the Palais as well as the “boutique officielle” inside, where the poster is 18€.

By Maya Kirby

#DIGITALCANNES

Today, tucked away in the beautiful Hotel Eden on Rue D'Antibe was a very informational panel on the importance of digital marketing and strategic planning for the film industry. Kicked off by a selection of short films ranging from 2 to 15 minutes selected by the panelists, the 3 hour event was filled with useful information, intruiging dialogue and enjoyable films. 

Benedicte Beaugeois from Film Festival Life stated, “The opportunities of the digital put a new light on the festival, which becomes a tool among other tools to promote your film. One of the things that we support… is that the festival strategy of the films is crucial.” She went on to say that it is important to utilize digital marketing in this day and age in the festival circuit to promote one's film.

Gotham Chanda with Cloud 21 was also a panelist and suggested filmmakers to start their marketing early on in production stages. He goes on to say it's smart to, "“Collect candid photos on set, and take videos. Anchorman did something like that and their campaign was taking all these goofy videos during the shooting of the film which they used after in promoting the film. Theres a lot that can be done in the prestages.”

Overall, it was very interesting to understand the different takes from all of the panelists and understand the importance of the digital marketing age.

By: Carly Eaton

Today in the International Village at the Dominican Republican Film Pavilion there was a workshop called “Digital Landscape in Cannes.” Frédéric Boënnec and Gotham Chandna held the workshop. The topic of the workshop was social media, and how to use social media as a tool when creating a film.

In today’s modern world, it is difficult to meet a person who does not use any form of social media. Whether it is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat or Vine, most people with a smart phone have accounts on at least one of these sites. Many people use these sites for personal use but many companies have discovered the power of marketing through social media.

One of the main points that was emphasized during the workshop was that filmmakers do not have to limit social media use to just promoting the finished product, filmmakers can use social media throughout the whole production process. One can use social media to do research into the audience that a film attracts, or what type of advertising attracts the most attention and such.

It is also important to know your platform when using social media. A Facebook post is designed very differently than a tweet. Different types of posts must be made for the different social media platforms in order to use them best. One of the tips for Twitter use was to keep tweets fewer than 120 words and include a photo to draw attention to the tweet.

One last tip that was given about using social media to promote a film is to always have content. Chandna says it well with “social media is like hunger, you need to keep feeding it all the time.”

By Maya Kirby

After a solid twenty minutes of begging for tickets to Inside Out in front of the Palais today, a friendly woman gave me her tickets only after I swore that I would attend the event. In the Grand Théâtre Lumière every seat must be filled, so ticket holders who do not want to attend must give away their tickets and cannot sell them.

When you have a ticket to one of the evening screenings, you must look nice, and it is better to arrive early in order to secure a good seat. Security directs you to a line depending on which type of ticket you have and you wait for your turn to walk the red carpet.

Although my time on the red carpet was brief, it was exciting and fun. Everybody is around taking photos and selfies (despite being prohibited) and everybody is dressed up and looking good. The entrance to the theater is beautiful and really makes one feel as if they are a celebrity. The theater itself is huge, and there’s really something quite special about watching a film with the director and the actors and watching it with you.

By Maya Kirby

Cinema Innovation in the Digital Experience Economy

10:00 am - 12:00 pm | @Palais K - Palais des Festivals - Level 4

Digital Distribution of Films : Real and Concrete Business Cases 
2:30 - 3:30 pm | @NEXT Pavilion 

FILM4CLIMATE: Taking Action on Climate Change! 
4:00 - 5:00 pm | @NEXT Pavilion

10:00am - Olympia 1
Video on Demand Opportunities in China.
Round table moderated by Liz Shackleton (Screen International) with an introductory speech by Hou Po (Deloitte). Panelists: Marc Ganis (Jiaflix), David U. Lee (Leeding Media), Li Yansong (iQIYI) and Allen Zhu Huilong (Youku Tudou).

10:00am - Palais K
Cinema Innovation in the Digital Experience Economy. Round table presented with Europa Cinemas, moderated by Michael Gubbins (Sampomedia) with speakers from Aerofilms, Drafthouse Films, Ecocinema and Watershed.

10:30am - Salon des Ambassadeurs
Shoot the Book! Discover the 10 French Books selected for their adaptation potential by a jury of audiovisual professionals.

2:30pm - NEXT Pavilion
Digital Distribution of Films: Real and Concrete Business Cases. Workshop presented by IPEDA with speakers from Under the Milky Way, Tide 3 and Walk This Way, The Film Agency, The Festival Agency and Europa International.

3:00pm - Olympia 1
International Production with China. Round table moderated by Clifford Coonan (The Hollywood Reporter) with an introductory speech by Hou Po (Deloitte). Panelists: Wendy Reeds (Lionsgate International), Shi Nansun (Distribution Workshop), Allen Wang Jun (Yingke Law Firm) and Zhou Yuan (Linmon Pictures).

4:00pm - NEXT Pavilion
Film4Climate: Taking Action on Climate Change. Special Session presented by Connect4Climate, moderated by Ivan Trujillo (Guadalajara International Film Festival) and speakers from Ile de France Film Commission, Green Film Shooting, Flanders Audiovisual Fund, Connect4Climate and Sardegna Film Commission.

4:00pm - Palais K
BAL Goes to Cannes: BAFICI will present a selection of works-in-progress by Latin American filmmakers.

4:00pm - Doc Corner
Doc_Meets with the Doc Corner's Exhibitors + Against Gravity, Doc Alliance Films, Visions du Réel, Hot Docs, RIDM and SXSW. Followed by Doc_Drinks (Palais 01 - 19.04/21.03)

6:00pm - Marché Mixer
Europe Sails with LatinAm Mixer. Supported by Ventana Sur and Variety.

Finnish superhero feature Rendel has launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to raise 80 000 USD for the production of the film. Even though the campaign is considered as very big in Finland producer-director Jesse Haaja is not afraid of the challenge. The rude touch of indie filmmaking can be seen in the campaign as well. Besides many traditional perks like t-shirts and posters, funders can also try their wings by acting supportive part as a villain in the film or support the production by buying a condom with slogan “Fuck like a superhero”. 

At the moment filmmakers are selling and marketing the film in Cannes Film Festival. A lot of positive feedback has already been received. Haaja and his team will be celebrating the campaign launch today with a special Rendel party where their new teaser scene will have it's word premiere. 

The money is raised for a special purpose: the film script includes many action and effect scenes that require even more resources than the crew has to offer at the moment. “Since we are already in, we want to be fully in. This means we’ll be doing everything we can to get people involved and make this film look and feel like something very special”, director Haaja describes. 

Crowdfunding gives a big chance for a low budget indie film like this. “With this money we will make the film look better and more intensive” explains campaign manager Emma Ilves. “Crowdfunding brakes down the traditional production model which matches perfectly with a rebel like Rendel. We are now giving power directly to the viewers - they are the reason we are making the film in the first place.”

The campaign will be running in Indiegogo for six weeks. During this time the film is already in pre-production. The shoot will take place in fall 2015 and the realease of the final film is in the end of 2016. 

The crew is also offering a small taste of what’s coming in the campaign teaser released this morning in Youtube. Have a look at it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHGoMRtSgLw

Website: www.rendelmovie.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rendelproject

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RendelMovie

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rendelmovie

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