The Ultimate Cannes Survival Guide!

Attending Cannes for the first time can be a daunting and mind-blowing experience. Not only do you have to stay on top of 12 days of hardcore film business, but you must deal with the fact that the event takes place in a country that does not speak English, and in a city that is not noted for being the largest or the cheapest place to stay on the Riviera. So where do you start? How do you get to the festival, and where do you find out that essential information that will make your visit both fun and successful?

Welcome to Cannes - A Festival Virgin's Guide, an indispensible companion to your first visit to cinema's most important annual event.

The guide is intended to help you make the most of your visit to the city and the festival. It has been compiled by Benjamin Craig, an independent Australian film-maker who visited the festival for the first time many years ago. As well as finding himself completely confused by the festival's structure and operation on his first visit, Ben discovered that Cannes is not the most hospitable place for a first timer on a shoestring budget. From the seeds of this visit, the guide was born.

It contains useful tips and information, grouped broadly into the three sections: The City (covering amongst other things, getting there, getting around, places to stay, places to eat, and general information), The Festival (its structure, how to attend, and all about screenings), and The Biz (some advice for filmmakers heading to Cannes with a project in tow).