Each year, in May, the luxurious French Riviera becomes the heart of the movie industry as the Cannes Film Festival inaugurates its legendary red carpet event.
Hollywood celebrities and world-renowned directors alike join the festivities with accolades and shocking revelations at hand, making Cannes not only a film festival but an extravagant affair of the highest magnitude.
For first-time followers, however, Cannes can feel overwhelming. What do terms like Palme d'Or, Competition, and Un Certain Regard actually mean? Why do certain films create instant Oscar buzz? And why does everyone care so much about an eight-minute standing ovation?
Here's a simple reader's guide to understanding the world's most famous film festival.
What Is The Cannes Film Festival?
The Cannes Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world. Held annually in the coastal city of Cannes in southern France, the event celebrates global cinema by premiering some of the most anticipated films of the year.
Founded in 1946, Cannes has become a launchpad for acclaimed filmmakers, breakout performances, and future award-season contenders. Winning at Cannes is considered one of the highest honours in cinema.
The festival usually takes place over 12 days and attracts actors, directors, producers, critics, and media from around the world.
What Is The Palme d'Or?
The Palme d'Or is Cannes' highest prize - essentially the festival's version of Best Picture.
The award is presented to the best film in the main competition section, chosen by a jury made up of filmmakers and artists. Winning the Palme d'Or can instantly elevate a filmmaker's career and give independent films global recognition.
Some celebrated Palme d'Or winners include:
Parasite
Pulp Fiction
Titane
Anatomy of a Fall
Interestingly, several Palme d'Or winners later went on to dominate the Oscars as well.
Understanding The Different Sections At Cannes
Cannes is not just one competition. The festival is divided into multiple categories and sidebars.
Main Competition
This is the biggest section of the festival, where films compete for the Palme d'Or. These are usually highly anticipated works from renowned filmmakers.
Un Certain Regard
This section highlights more unconventional, artistic, or emerging voices in cinema. It often introduces exciting new directors and experimental storytelling styles.
Out of Competition
These films premiere at Cannes but are not competing for awards. Big studio projects and star-driven films often screen here.
Midnight Screenings
Usually reserved for thrillers, horror films, action movies, or cult cinema that create crowd excitement.
Cannes Classics
A section dedicated to restored versions of classic films and documentaries about cinema history.
Why Are Standing Ovations Such A Big Deal?
One of Cannes' most talked-about traditions is the post-screening standing ovation.
After a premiere, audiences inside the theatre applaud the filmmakers and cast. The duration of these ovations often becomes headline news, with films receiving anything from four minutes to over ten minutes of applause.
While long ovations don't necessarily guarantee a film's quality or awards success, they have become part of Cannes mythology and media culture.
Why Cannes Matters For Awards Season
Cannes has increasingly become a major predictor of future awards success.
Films that premiere at Cannes frequently dominate conversations during Oscar season. Movies like Parasite, Triangle of Sadness, and Anora built strong momentum after premiering at the festival.
A successful Cannes debut can help:
Generate critical acclaim
Secure global distribution deals
Create social media buzz
Establish awards-season credibility
The Fashion And Celebrity Factor
Beyond cinema, Cannes is also one of the world's biggest fashion spectacles.
Luxury brands, jewellery labels, and fashion designers rule the red carpet with fancy dresses and suits. Hollywood stars, Bollywood celebrities, and other international celebrities participate in many different film premiers, press conferences, and brand parties during the festival. The red carpet at Cannes has almost gained the same notoriety as the films.
How Films Get Selected
There are thousands of films entered into the festival each year; however, only a select few are chosen. The films are picked based on their artistic qualities, creativity, storyline, and direction. Simply getting your film picked for Cannes is a tremendous accomplishment, whether you win a prize or not.
Cannes And World Cinema
One of the reasons why Cannes has remained relevant all this time is due to its dedication to international films.
It constantly promotes films made in different countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and even Hollywood. Several renowned directors who made international films have been recognized by the world because of their films shown in the Cannes Film Festival.
Why People Around The World Follow Cannes
Despite being unable to attend Cannes, even those people will get a sneak peek at what's coming next in film. The festival generates discussion about culture, builds careers, brings back auteurs, and produces iconic pop-culture moments each year. If you enjoy films, celebrities, fashion, or awards season, Cannes is still one of the most interesting events each year in entertainment.