What is the Marche du Film?
The Marche du Film is the biggest feature film market of the film industry calendar. Held every year in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival, the event allows international buyers and sellers to meet and do business. Sales agents market their slate of films to distributors looking to acquire content for distribution in their territories.

While the vast majority of content on display are be completed films, Cannes is also a thriving market for pre-selling distribution rights as form of production finance.

The majority of stands are in the purpose-built Palais des Festivals (or ‘Palais’ for short). This is a multi-level exhibition hall and is packed with stands and booths promoting films from all over the world. The hotels in Cannes are also taken over by the Marche with many promoters stripping out hotel room furnishings and setting up makeshift booths.

How can I attend?
The market is a professional event and is not open to members of the public.

Accreditation is restricted to buyers, sellers, producers and film industry institutional representatives. If you wish to have full market accreditation it costs around €300 per person. This gives you access to Market and Festival screenings, all the Market Publications, free access to all Festival and Market locations. If booked before early April you will also feature in the Market Guide, which lists all attendees to the Marche.

Market accreditation can be arranged at www.marchedufilm.com.

A cheaper option is to register for Short Film Corner for €75 which give you two Short Film Corner passes. These restrict your access to market screenings and market publications although does allow you to view short films and attend events at Short Film Corner. This can be arranged at www.shortfilmcorner.com

Finally, free accreditation is organized by the festival which allows you walk around the Palais. For more information please visit www.festival-cannes.fr/en/festivalServices/accreditation.

What are the costs of attending the Marche du Film?
Once you have paid for a Market Pass (or arranged free accreditation) you need to consider flights, accommodation, food and entertainment. Cannes has a reputation for being very expensive but it is possible to have a good time on a limited budget.

From the UK it is possible to attend the market and also have a good time from under £1,000. This includes everything from flights, accommodation, food, etc. But book early to get the best prices – one of the Access team has previously managed to get return flights for a total of just £35!

From the USA it will be more expensive due to the added distance, the current weak dollar and, unlike the UK, there are no ultra-low-cost flights.

For more information on attending Cannes we strongly recommend visiting ‘Cannes: A Festival Virgin’s Guide'

Can I get my own booth?
Booths are available to anyone willing to pay. The vast majority of filmmakers find hiring a booth prohibitively expensive as they start from around €5,000 upwards. Then you have to consider the printing, staffing and running costs of making an attractive booth.

Currently it can cost the average American filmmaker close to $20,000 just to have a booth in Cannes.

I’ve not been to Cannes before. Will you help?
Certainly. Before the market we can be reached via our contact page and via Skype (accessfilm). During the Marche du Cannes we will be staffing our booth in the Palais and will be happy to help where we can.

It doesn’t matter if your questions are about cross-collateralization of receipts or where to get a cheap drink on the Croisette – we’re here to help.

Where can I find out more?
For more information on attending Cannes we strongly recommend visiting ‘Cannes: A Festival Virgin’s Guide' or contact us.