Called "the most exciting thing to happen in Cannes since the Director's Fortnight" The Cannes Independent Film Festival launches its 2010 festival today in Cannes France. The festival, which runs alongside but is completely independent of the Festival de Cannes, keeps its focus on celebrating low-budget filmmaking.
During the festival run from May 12 to 23, the Cannes Independent Film Festival will show over 40 features and 80 short films, showcasing indie filmmakers from all over the world. The majority of the screenings take place in the 50-seat screening room at the CIFF Villa, just off the Croisette, but CIFF films also screen at the Palais des Festivals and other top venues in Cannes.
"The Festival de Cannes, between its Hollywood blockbuster launches and its screenings by revered icons, has become a place where indie filmmakers no longer feel welcome. CIFF has the potential to revitalize the most important event on the world film calendar to a new generation of beginning filmmakers' said festival director Erich Schultz.
With the mission of integrating low-budget indie films into the lifeblood of the Cannes experience, the Cannes Independent Film Festival works to level the playing field for new filmmakers to get their works shown, and sold, in Cannes.
Festival highlights include Simon Rumley's sexy thriller RED WHITE & BLUE, Sameer Hanchate's Bombay-set finance drama GAFLA, and Kate Madison's much publicized micro-budget Lord of the Rings prequel, BORN OF HOPE -- which is playing in the Palais des Fesitvals on Friday night, May 14. Showing before BORN OF HOPE at the Palais will be the world premeir of Julie Pacino's (daughter of Al Pacino) first short film ABRACADABRA.
CIFF is also developing into a crucial business hub for the low-budget indie film industry, a key attraction to filmakers in Cannes looking to see cutting-edge filmmaking, and one of the Europe’s most popular indie festivals. With an emphasis on new talent, discovery and innovation, the Cannes Independent Film Festival’s vibrant programme of films and events combines a commitment to indie filmmaking ideals with a sound understanding of their possibilities in the marketplace.
Full information, including screening schedules, can be found on the CIFF website: http://www.cannesfest.org/
