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Filmmakers 🤝 Start-up Founders
Every year, the Cannes Film Festival takes place in the beautiful south side of France in Cannes city (duh), and garners global attention to a tee.
It’s prestigious, timeless, classic. Cannes is the epitome of high-class art: film, art, fashion and expression.
But it’s also the film version of Shark Tank. Now, before you raise your eyebrows (which I can see through), let’s speed-run through what Cannes is.
Although you should know what it is by now. Unless you live under a rock.
Cannes Film Festival 101
This is not an exhaustive list. You’ll also be exhausted if I go through every single detail about Cannes. So here’s a quick breakdown:
It is an film festival held in Cannes, France (obviously).
People dress better here than the MET Gala. Oopsies.
It previews films across genres, including documentaries and features all around the world.
Cannes is one of the "big five” film festivals in the world. Its other buddies are Venice, Toronto, Berlin and Sundance.
You get to see Meryl Streep almost every year!
Donna what are you doing here?! Image: Cindy Ord (Getty)
But if you think Cannes is simply the caviar version of your local Cineplex, where directors, actors, and creatives do weekend film-club socials while being draped in designers, then you’re missing the brief.
Even though I love religiously rating carpet looks like I’m qualified.
Pitching your film is no different than pitching a new start-up venture.
Film festivals are THE markets for directors and filmmakers to pitch their work, and for investors and film financiers to scout talents.
If a filmmaker is self-sufficient and can finance their own film, good for them.
Must most of the time, filmmakers racking bills after bills to get their movies debt-free needs major film financing. And film festivals are shark tanks in disguise for them to do so.
And at Cannes, we call the tank The Investor Circle of Marché du Film.
I kinda expect the dresscode to be all linen. Source: Marché du Film
What is it?
Recently launched in 2023, it’s a film market summit hosted conjunction with the main Cannes Film Festival. Here, you’re 99.9% likely to run into one or either of this combo: another acclaimed director or a producer/investor scouting for a world-shifting project.
The summit starts with a keynote panel with expert speakers from the film financing world, and goes into an exclusive pitching session only for private investors. Then, these “sharks” will curate a list of film projects to provide financial support and bring them closer to the masses.
See the list of film projects funded by the 2024 Investor Circle here.
Even though I love religiously rating carpet looks like I’m qualified.
More deals?
Besides the summit, more dealing and business were going on between big companies. Here are the major points:
Streaming services were enthusiastic buyers that secured rights to major films:
Amazon Prime bought "Eden," "Sugar Bandits," and "Mongoose."
Netflix pre-bought “Monsanto” for $30 million, featuring Mr. Clean-girl core Glen Powell
“Monsanto” cast. Source: Variety
However, high-pricing demands left buyers in shock as they struggle to “reconcile their respective financial model.”
Cannes Film Festival (and the rest of the other film festivals) is the breeding grounds for creativity and funding.
And most importantly, it’s where networks flourish.
Learning about these aspects of film festivals have shifted my perception of the film market completely: it’s not hidden - it’s out there.
The takeaway?
Film festivals can’t be understated: they’re foundational to keep film culture alive and bring forth the intersection between film and commerce. So strive to be both a filmmaker and a beast on the sheet!
Excel sheet.
Take It With a Grain of Salt
“Why do you want to work in venture capital?”
Because I like the idea in investing in someone’s potential. It’s hopeful.
After a couple of interviews to intern in venture capital firms, I’ve learned more about film than finance. Just kidding.
But honestly though, the parallels between the two fields are more apparent than you think. Start-up founders and filmmakers strive for similar things:
Someone with money and leverage in their respective fields to help them lift their project baby off the ground.
That person sees through their visions.
And ideally, respects the founders and filmmakers’ creative boundaries without the need to compensate their work and artistic integrity.
Let’s be real: investors invest in your film because they believe it’ll be the next big thing, which equates to resonating with the masses and bringing great returns on investment.
And when I pitch my (future) film, you better believe I’m abiding this mindset.
Money doesn’t rule the world. Money talks.
Alright, that is it for today.
Make sure to:
Plan your next trip to Cannes now. Or Raising Canes* if you’re living on student loans like I am.
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