C'est officiel…..Nous allons à Cannes!
It’s official… we’re going to Cannes, France!
I’ve received formal accreditation from the Marché du Film, the world’s leading film market, officially recognizing Dancing in Their Light as a legitimate film project at the Cannes International Film Festival. This accreditation grants me access to the Festival’s industry market, where I’ll have the opportunity to connect with agents, casting directors, financiers, and producers — all with the goal of forming new connections and partnerships that will hopefully inch my film project even closer to becoming a film or series.
I’ll also have access to the American Pavilion, the central hub for the American film community at Cannes. It offers panels, programs, showcases, and a space to hold business meetings — a key resource for U.S.-based filmmakers.
Preparing for Cannes is no small feat. You don’t just show up and figure it out on the fly. For the past six weeks, I’ve been working closely with my creative partner Tony Shyu and our associate producer/writer Holly Ward, along with our creative team, to create a sizzle reel and pitch materials. Holly wrote the key synopsis and script which ignited the engines to get us out the starting gate. These pitch assets will be critical for Holly and me when we are doing deep networking at Cannes — and building more awareness and support for Dancing in Their Light after we return home.
I’m so pleased to announce that we’ve reached an important milestone for Phase One by securing the funds needed to develop our pitch materials. I’m deeply grateful to those whose generous support made it possible for Tony, Holly, and me to create these essential resources for this phase: Susan D. Condon, Ellen and Joffa Dale, Bill Melamed, Mike and Cathy O’Neal, John Sterns and Martha Ross, Dan and Carolyn Sillin, Dr. Sheri Dewan and Dr. Alex Wilcox, Phyllis Wise, and several anonymous donors. They have allowed me to take this first big step forward.
Cannes International Film Festival by the Numbers:
Over the course of the 12-day Festival (May 13–24), 35,000 film industry professionals attend screenings and participate in the Marché du Film.
The Marché du Film is the largest international film market, attended by 15,000+ film professionals from more than 160 countries.
It will feature 4,000 films and projects, along with 250 industry events.
On-site support includes 600 receptionists and 400 security guards to help guide and protect festival-goers.
Here is a photo of the American Pavilion, which will be one of the Cannes base camps for Holly and me.
Here is a glimpse into the Marché du Film:
If you know of colleagues who will be at Cannes, please let me know so that Holly and I can hook up with them while we are there. For those on social media, I’ll be documenting this extraordinary journey and invite you to come along for an insider’s view of the Cannes experience.
