Photo ยฉ Stephane Cardinale
This year marks the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 14th โ 25th. As we near the end of the 2024 edition of the iconic event, we canโt help but be inspired by all the marvelous creativity that flourishes here every year.
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From fashion to film to the emphasis on women in the industry, take a look at our roundup of some of the creative highlights from this yearโs Festival.
FASHION
Turning heads on the famous red steps of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrรจs, the looks this year have been nothing short of exceptional. Celebrities and filmmakers dazzled on the crimson floor, and we couldnโt help but notice a few common trends among the most powerful styles.
All-Over Sequins
Sequins and satin were the undeniable favorites of the red carpet, dawned by the most impressive and inspiring women in the industry. The all-over sequin look made the movie stars shine even brighter as they waltzed down the runway, posing for cameras and mingling with fellow film workers.
Just a Touch of Sparkle
There was also a notable array of dresses with just a touch of sequin sparkle. These subtle details made a big impact, boasting an impressive balance of pizazz with sophistication.
Elegant Ensembles in Silky, Satiny Fabrics
Finally, silk and satin commanded attention as it graced the figures of many legends in the industry. Elegant ensembles in one luxurious material then the next seemed to practically float down the carpet and up the Festival steps.ย ย
FILM
Of course, at the center of everything is the film industry. One of the biggest (if not, the biggest) events in the cinema world, the Cannes Film Festival is a unique and important opportunity for filmmakers to present their masterpieces on an illustrious world stage. Rooted in the support and promotion of creativity since its beginnings, the film festival is a special moment for cinematography.
As stated by the festival regulations in 1946, โThe Festivalโs aim is to encourage the development of the cinematographic art in all its forms and create and foster a spirit of collaboration between all film-producing countries.โ The event provides an international platform for new ideas in film to emerge from countries around the world. This gives filmmakers a chance to showcase a diverse array of approaches to cinema, furthering its development as an art form.
While all eyes are on the stars, since 1959, film industry professionals have also been welcomed into the Palais des Festivals et des Congrรจs โ the main location of the screenings and festivities โ to network. This has become one of the most important objectives of the Cannes Film Festival. A significant gathering of industry players and leaders from around the world descend upon this small French coastal town, presenting an intimate opportunity for up-and-coming artists to make professional connections and ideally bring their ideas to fruition.
This year, the talk of the town was on the return of the legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola who premiered his movie โMegalopolis,โ a passion project of the 85-year-old director, producer, and screenwriter. Check out the trailer for the new movie here described by Coppola as a โRoman epic set in modern America.โ Find the lineup of the other movies in the competition here.
FEMININE POWER
Every year, women are given a particularly prominent position in the spotlight of the Cannes Film Festival, and this 77th edition was certainly no exception.
To start, the host of this yearโs Festival is the celebrated French actress and comedian Camille Cottin, who has starred in a variety of both French and international movies and television. Camille opened the ceremony with a speech that highlighted to the funny โ yet very real โ behind-the-scenes details that make this event so exceptional. She also made sure to note, however, that those โnocturnal rendez-vousโ in the hotel rooms of powerful men are no longer a welcome or accepted custom in the โCannes Vortexโ thanks to the #MeToo movement โ and women are delighted.
Camille went on to introduce the jury for the official competition โ led this year by the talented filmmaker and actress Greta Gerwig, who has undoubtedly made great strides in the film industry for women. Most recently, her sensational blockbuster โBarbie,โ challenged the way we perceive women in the โreal worldโ as opposed to the idyllic โBarbie world.โ The Festival’s gift to Greta was a serenade of David Bowie’s ‘Modern Love’ by Zaho de Sagazan which Greta danced to in a scene in the 2012 movie “Frances Ha.”
Concluding the Opening Ceremony, French actress Juliette Binoche presented the Honorary Palme dโOr award to another female mogul in the film industry โ the legendary Meryl Streep. Julietteโs emotional speech followed an extended standing ovation for Meryl who has inspired so many around the world. A force to be reckoned with, Meryl received this lifetime achievement award to honor her decades in the industry, which include no less than 21 Oscar nominations and three Oscar wins.
One of the absolute highlights of annual international events held in France, this yearโs Cannes Film Festival kicked off a particularly exciting summer. Soon, athletics will take center stage with the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, Tour de France, Roland Garros, and โ the highly anticipated โ 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Stay tuned for our inside look at these fantastic events in the coming months!