PART 1: FIVE REAL REASONS TO GO TO CANNES

 1 - You love movies and you want to see the latest films  

Whether you’re a filmmaker or not, if you relish a good movie and are curious about what the world's top cinematic talent is up to, then Cannes is the playground for you. Picture this: the glitter, the glamour, that undeniable rush in the crowd as everyone jostles for tickets—it's a real spectacle. Yes, it's an expensive one, but honestly, soaking in that kind of show, with all its chaotic charm, is something you might want to experience at least once.

 2 - You're offering or are looking for international co-production services

If you don’t know what “co-production” means, I suggest reading this: Co-producing & Filming.

If you’re a production or post-production company and can dangle the carrot of tax credits and financing in front of international producers, then yes, packing your bags for Cannes could indeed be worth your while. The Marché teems with producers on the prowl for co-producers and Cannes’ CINANDO platform will help you spot who’s coming beforehand. Every National pavilion hosts networking events specifically for co-producers. You’ll find the times and dates for these soirees plastered throughout the Marché du Film’s brochures.

On the flip side, if you have a project with a director, actors, and some partial funding, Cannes is a great place to find co-producers to complete your budget. And yes, you might even snag a sales agent or two. If you arm yourself with guidance from those who've navigated these waters before, and line up a slew of meetings in advance, you can save yourself from aimlessly wandering the festival like a lost tourist.

 3 - You're serching for films for your new festival  

The Marché is like a cinematic buffet, offering everything from the hearty main course to those obscure little desserts that nobody can pronounce. If you're a festival programmer on the prowl for that dazzling centerpiece for your event, then the Marché du Film is pretty much where you need to be. Every major festival programmer attends, hoping to snag the best films and lock down those coveted premieres for their turf. And if you’re steering a newer festival, remember, festivals keep an eagle eye on each other, trying to ensure their lineup has that special something that nobody else has.

 4 - You're looking for completion funding for your work-in-progress feature film   

If your feature film is nearly done—let’s say the editing is in full swing or even wrapped up, but you're scraping the couch cushions for cash to finish the sound mix, sprinkle in some VFX, or get the color grading just right—Cannes could be your financial fairy godmother. You can woo the sort of funds and investors who are on the lookout for a project to complete, as they’re less risky and a potentially tidy payoff. Sure, prying open their wallets is never going to be as easy as pie, but at Cannes, at least you'll be fishing in the right pond.

5 - You're looking for producing workshops and training   

Like many festivals, Cannes offers its fair share of classes, seminars, and workshops, especially for producers. Whether you're in the market with a project or just browsing—it’s definitely worth popping into a few of these. They come in every conceivable size and flavor, neatly listed in the Marché du Film program. Take, for example, the Film Finance Forum hosted by Winston | Baker.  Like a boot camp for your brain, except more PowerPoint than push-ups. Attending the workshops in Cannes will make even the driest financial projection seem glamorous.

But if you’re not a producer, other major festivals, such as Berlin, Sundance and Toronto, have better workshops, initiatives and training courses for creatives.

Continued in Part Two: Five reasons NOT to go to Cannes