Kirk Cooper

Returning to Cannes each year for thee festival is like returning to your cabin each spring. There is something unmistakeably familiar to the process and in that familiarity there is work to be done before you can settle in. Depending on how quickly you get to the task at hand regardless of it being simple or not – the quicker you can enjoy the beauty of your surrounding.

My tasks are few but incredible important. Each FMA participant has my full attention and guidance when need. Upon arrival I met Derek a producer taking part in FMA. Derek has booked several meetings but he is unfamiliar with the terrain, knowing the landscape is vital because in a day a person could easily complete a 7k navigating thought crowds just to make it to their designated meetings. 

Today is Sunday and Derek and I have had some time to get a bit familiar with Cannes  since my arrival on Saturday afternoon. And during those instances what we have discovered…

1. Its best to dress for night activities … such as receptions and parties by 5pm (Derek had on a cool linen suit)
2. Get to know where everyone hangs out ….from executives to emerging director each has their own favorite spot.
3. Always be nice to those you meet. That is how we got into the South African Party. I had RSVP late and I was told NO at the door but just I as I was about to walk away… friends from the S/A film Bunny Chow (awesome film) spot me and brought us into the exclusive South African Party; where Derek met one of the producers from the film Hotel Rwanda – a nice welcome to his project.
4. Go with the flow – we made a pit stop at a beautiful apartment on the Cosette. It was reception that had all the right people but it was too crowded and an elevator that did not work. Reception was on the 10th floor and that was not a nice climb but in the end the view was spectacular!!!

With jetlag and a few drinks in my system I turned in at 2am…

Louisa Lo

Kirk Cooper

Festival de Cannes officially opened tonight with a beautiful ceremony including a song from artist Brian Ferry. The proclamation came from the beautiful actress Hafsia Herzi accompanied by Charles Aznavour the talented voice of the Opening Night film “Up”. This is the first time in the history of Cannes Film Festival that an animated movie has been chosen as the inaugural screening, marking this moment as a new era in the future of the festival. On Thursday the Marché du Film will open up for business and participants of FMA will begin their journey into networking, business meetings and celebrating the diverse selection of films. Along our journey we hope to keep you informed and give you insights not only on the festival but also on the developments of each participant in the program. I am also very excited to be blogging during the festival. But I must admit; blogging is new and a bit intimidating to me. Thankfully I won’t be contributing thoughts and ideas from Cannes alone. Louisa Lo – Producer/Writer and first time participant in FMA program to Cannes will be sharing her experience as well during the festival. So please check-in each day to see what films, parties and interesting people we encounter that encourage and inspire us to reach towards our goals.

“The difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person in the entertainment industry is not talent; it is ACCESS TO INFORMATION & ACCESS TO PEOPLE.” – Njeri Watkins