Looking forward to the 78th Cannes Film Festival

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is almost upon us. Now is the time to plan to meet new and old friends and get those all-important meetings in the diary.

A picture of Cannes seafront at night

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is almost upon us. Now is the time to plan to meet new and old friends and get those all-important meetings in the diary. Let’s face it, whoever you want to meet will be there. Why? Well, Cannes is the world’s most prestigious film gathering and its fame and allure never seems to diminish.

Just consider what is on offer this year to attract the media press from all over the world. Firstly, the poster. Every year the Cannes official poster pays tribute to an iconic film actor. Two of my personal favourites in recent years have been Marcello Mastrianni and Claudia Cardinale – I never bore seeing their faces on buildings and structures throughout the town. This year, for the first time ever there is a double poster featuring Anouk Aimee and Jean-Louis Trintignant from the delightful movie ‘A Man and a Woman’ produced some 60 years ago. Why a double poster? Well, you can’t separate a man and a woman who love each other! The film won the Palme d’Or in Cannes in 1966 and two Oscars in 1967. And, check out the wonderful theme music.

Robert de Niro will be in town to receive an honorary Palme d’Or of the 78^th Festival on 13^th May 2025. The following day he is delivering a Master Class to film-goers – well that sounds worth a ticket. In his press release de Niro commented ‘I have such close feelings for Festival de Cannes. Especially now when there is so much in the world pulling us apart, Cannes brings us together, storytellers, filmmakers, fans and friends. It’s like coming home.’.

I wonder whether he will make his way to the pizza restaurant by the harbour, allegedly, it was his first stop in Cannes. Apart from great pizza, the restaurant has amazing photos of stars who have visited Cannes.

Another highlight this year will no doubt be Tom Cruise who is coming to town to show ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’. I remember the last time he was in Cannes for ‘Top Gun Maverick’, the sight and roar of the jet planes flying over the town was showstopping.

And for the final highlight. Alliotts’ media team, David Gibbs, Sam Ampah and myself are in town from 14^th -19^th May. We’ll be based at the Members Club and welcome seeing all our clients, contacts and making new friends.

See you there.

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