Cinematic Travel

It Was Born Out of Protest.

Cannes exists because fascism ruined Venice. In 1938, Mussolini and Hitler strong-armed the Venice Film Festival jury into awarding their own films the top prizes. French, British, and American jurors walked out in protest, and France decided to build its own festival from scratch, one free of political interference. The first edition was scheduled for September 1939. Germany invaded Poland on opening day, and the whole thing was cancelled. The festival finally launched properly in 1946.

The Palme d'Or Is Made of 18-Carat Gold.

The highest prize in world cinema is a golden palm branch worth approximately 20,000 euros. Two reserve awards are made each year in case of a tie or an accident. The award was introduced in 1955, replacing the Grand Prix as the top honor.

The Town Population Triples.

Cannes normally has around 73,700 residents. During the festival, that number swells past 200,000. More than 35,000 film professionals and festival-goers climb those famous 24 steps each year, joined by around 5,000 journalists. The festival is the most publicized cultural event in the world after the Olympic Games.

The Red Carpet Tradition Is Newer Than You Think.

The famous red carpet was not introduced until 1987. The current Palais des Festivals et des Congres, home of those iconic steps, only opened in 1983. Before that, a much smaller building hosted the entire event.

Every Screening Begins the Same Way.

Before every film at Cannes, the same piece of music plays. It is an excerpt from Aquarium, part of Carnival of the Animals by French composer Camille Saint-Saens. The moment it begins, you know exactly where you are.

You Do Not Need a Ticket to Experience It.

Most people assume Cannes is impossible to attend without industry credentials. That is not entirely true. Every evening at nightfall, classic and cult films are screened for free on Mace beach, right next to the Palais des Festivals. The setting is the Mediterranean at dusk. The experience is unforgettable.

The Sidewalk Trick Actually Works.

Every day in front of the Palais, people hold up handwritten signs asking for a spare invitation to that day's screening. Film professionals receive a quota of tickets for each film. If they do not use them, their allocation for future screenings gets reduced. So they give them away. Patience, a good sign, and the right moment at the right entrance can get you inside.

La Croisette Is the Real Stage.

The famous boulevard running along the seafront is where the festival truly lives between screenings. Luxury hotels, outdoor cafes, pop-up pavilions from every major film country, and the constant electric possibility of walking past someone who made one of your favorite films. The Croisette during festival week is unlike any street on earth.

The 2026 Jury President Is a Cinema Legend.

South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, director of Oldboy and The Handmaiden, will preside over the main competition jury. Expected films in competition include new work from Steven Spielberg, Terrence Malick, Joel Coen, Pedro Almodovar, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. The official selection will be announced in mid-April.