Cannes Film Festival's Film Market to go virtual this year

Film industries all over the world have stopped their production of films due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many film festivals across the globe have postponed screenings or canceled the event altogether. In light of this difficult situation, to support the debilitated film industries across the world, the Cannes Film Festival’s Film Market, or Marche du Film, will be held online this year from 22-26 June.

The business counterpart of the Cannes Festival, the Marche du Film is one of the largest film markets in the world. With 12,500 participants from 121 different countries, more than 4,000 films and projects were presented at Marche du Film in 2019.

The Marché du Film Online will take the shape of a closed industry space that will include, among other elements, virtual booths for sales agents. Sales companies will be able to connect with buyers and display their new films and projects-in-progress in a dedicated online space that will serve as a digital equivalent to their booths in Cannes.

Talking about this new development, the executive director of Marche du Film, Jérôme Paillard said, “We won't replace the Cannes experience with the Marché du Film Online, but we are recreating part of its essence online by offering professionals an efficient and cutting-edge platform to screen films, buy them, finance projects and meet partners. We’re also experimenting with a new market model that will allow professionals, who didn't have the means or the time to come to Cannes, to participate.”

Accreditations for the Marché du Film Online will be available soon for industry professionals at an early bird rate of €95 until May 29, and the normal rate of €195 thereafter.