The drinks and celeb sightings might be free with the price of admission, but it can be hard to keep costs down in Cannes.
I travel to theFrench Rivieraand drank rosé , gorged myself on tall mallow , consume pistachio ice emollient on the beach , watched films — and yet I do n’t live if I would call this a vacation . I also walked more than 30,000 steps a twenty-four hours wearing uncomfortable shoe , stressed about my closet , scheduled 18 coming together , and unexpectedly lost five pounds .
At the Cannes Film Festival , my goal was to distribute my first micro - budget feature plastic film , Berlin Loop . I front - loaded my trip with a day inParis , which made for a six - day ( seven - solar day , if you count 38 hour of traveling meter ) trip . This is the life of an indie filmmaker : In the funhouse mirror , you see your reflection in Greta Gerwig on the red carpet , but on your side , it ’s a stir to seek out cheap lodging , free canapés , and invites to the sole party where you ’ll discover rich technical school investors .
About the traveler
Job : Freelance writer , manager , and documentary film filmmakerAnnual salary : $ 20,000 - 40,000 per yearLocation of residency : Berlin , GermanyAge:39
About the vacation
Where : Paris and Cannes , FranceHow long : Seven daysPlanned budget:$1,200
Upfront costs
Trains : € 242.29 ( $ 263 ) . Living in Europe , I take the train whenever I can . While it ’s definitely slower than carpenter’s plane , it minimize my carbon footprint and maximize comfort . For this trip-up , I took anight train from Berlin to Paris . In amount , I spent about 15 60 minutes on trains from Berlin to Cannes ( with a planned layover day in Paris ) and 22 time of day on buses and geartrain ( note to self : no more overnight buses ! ) on the way home .
Lodging : € 100 ( $ 109 ) . Thanks to anAirbnb disasterwith my 15 - person extended class last twelvemonth , Airbnb had give me a $ 1,220 booking credit that I used toward a studio apartment apartment on the Cannes peninsula , a 20 - mo pass from the Palais du Film . Paying an extra € 100 ( $ 109 ) in cleaning fees , I booked five nights . afterward , I booked an extra Nox at a hotel where I did n’t end up staying , so I ’m not including that fee here .
Relevant prior expenses : € 471.90 ( $ 512.23 ) . I purchase the Cannes Market Badge for admittance to the giant Marché du Film , a trade show for buying and selling motion-picture show that include gore , happy hours on the beach , etc — plus ledger entry to festival screenings .
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Day by day
Day 1 - Thursday
After find a jump suit on sale at Monoprix for € 29.58 ( $ 32.11 ) , I bribe some black sandals at Zara for € 39.95 ( $ 43.36 ) . They were a size too big because all of Paris seemed to be out of my size in fatal shoes . Then , I took to the streets for my favorite vacation activity : aimless roving . Eventually I popped into a boulangerie for a giant tuna baguet and sweet almond pastry dough for a total of € 7.60 ( $ 8.25 ) , which was enough solid food to last me the rest of the day .
I ate my lunch along the Seine , then hopped on a 4 pm caravan . Five hour later , I was in the nerve centre of Cannes at anIrish pubwith six other filmmakers , sipping my first cocktail of the festival : a margarita . My producing cooperator , Jenny , was crashing at my Airbnb for a duo of nights , so she pay for the potable and then the cab to the ( flyspeck ! ) flat .
Day 2 - Friday
Total cost : € 44 ( $ 47.76)On the first festival morning , I put on my ability rig : a rust - colored sleeveless silk blouse and matching cap , with amber and black Panthera pardus - print pant . Jenny and I march up the peninsula between dock yacht , a palm Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - trace sidewalk , and construction barriers featuring celebrities . The walk along the sidewalk above the beach was like a peep behind the festival curtain . Big delivery trucks docked on the master street , La Croisette , next to temporary eating house set up along the beach . Their number one wood pedal crates of liquor back and onward as refuse trucks collect last night ’s glass bottles .
I had done research on thousands of participant and scheduled wall - to - wall meetings , but I had one venial hitch : My five - year - erstwhile earpiece was come on its planned obsolescence and often reject to connect to mapping and emails . Problems of a technical nature were on the purview .
Jenny and I picked up our festival badges and walked through security to the campus of the Marché du Film . Outside of the market anteroom , the festival campus ’ International Village was occupy with pop - up tent , where each state ’s film commission hosted meeting and networking . Inside , the market hall was pack with booths showcasing films , product equipment , and emplacement tax incentives .
After a few ad-lib meetings , the solar day keep on off - campus at a dejeuner sports meeting - up for fair sex in Film and Television International ( WIFTI ) . We opted for a quick hummus and pita lettuce snack for € 17 ( $ 18.45 ) before returning to the boardwalk and taking our first meeting at a beachside lounge rebranded for the fete as the Microsoft Cafe .
Around 3 pm , open - bar felicitous hours started popping off at the International Village . From the sidewalk entry , there ’s a guestlist for each collapsible shelter — but on the beach side , each menstruate into the next , and nobody have it off if you were ask round to Greece or Spain , or nowhere at all . I met up with Derya , a Turkish film producer friend , at the UK Pavilion for a glass or two of rosé , then headed to the gastronome high mallow board at the Estonian Pavilion . We tried to slip into the beach - side of the German Pavilion , but they had some pretty dedicated bouncers , who kicked us to the sidewalk . Derya announced she had an invite ( which she did ) , and the door - cleaning woman nodded her in , so I foretell I had an invite too ( I did n’t ) and walked confidently in behind her .
For dinner party , I had recruited a few Berlin friends to meet at a pizza shop a few blocks away . We were get together by a photographic film critic know as theSchmear Hunter . The waitress , a local who understandably resented the festival and all of us faux - monied posers , scowled predictably at our table ’s requests . I tipped anyway , bestow my dinner total to € 27 ( $ 29.31 ) .
Photos by Emily Manthei
One of my dinner fellow traveler invited us to go along the party with him at thelobby barof theHotel Majesticto meet the investor who had just agreed to finance his film . We arrived at a table of Americans plucked from a sketch : a scowling manufacturer run on his cane , surrounded by glammed - up baron couples drinking their third round of golf of Moscow Mules from Cu chump . Cocktails were € 25 each . Jenny and I sat down and ordered espresso martinis while my music director - Quaker verbalize to his new investor , who wore sunglasses fight up on his forehead , a floor - length dark-brown monk ’s robe , and no shoes . Jenny and I finished our drinks and put them on the table ’s tab before walking back to our hotel . My new Parisian sandal scratch my ankle raw as I walked — so much for well-fixed shoes .
Day 3 - Saturday
full monetary value : € 72.09 ( $ 78.25)The next morning , I strapped on my sexy - but - uncomfortable place , and we discovered the Microsoft Cafe could provide all of the breakfast essentials for free . Next , I head into the Palais to visit the Nespresso bar on a raging gratuity from the Schmear Hunter about loose cappuccinos . At the documentary hub , I observe a press corp of lensman outside the windowpane , taking photos of Emma Stone and Wilhelm Defoe . I was fall in by Jessica , a infotainment manufacturer from Portland who became a immobile friend .
A few meetings after , I fulfill up with Jenny and a British manufacturer , Mikail , at the Saudi Pavilion , where we discovered a cornucopia of free lunch oblation : smoked salmon bagel , generous tall mallow options , yield , and desserts . I take a few more coming together before returning to the Microsoft Cafe , where the bartender was pouring the first specs of free rosé . Jenny and I decided to start drinking . As the well-chosen hours heated up , we partook in creamy royal yam stroke at the Singapore Pavilion , watch over by some more rosé , beer and peanuts at the Irish Pavilion , and vodka at the Polish Pavilion .
Finally , I returned to the apartment with ache feet to change into a opprobrious backless cocktail dress and very high heels for a political party in a villa hosted by the World of Film Festival ( WOFF ) . Jenny and I took a hack there ( she paid ) and met the Schmear Hunter for pastis - and - knock rummy cocktail at the open bar and New World chat with fantastically costume distributors , filmmakers , and producers . My foundation ached . Somehow , we get lots of perfume samples .
Photos by Emily Manthei
We cabbed back to the fundamental small town ( Jenny paid again ) and tolerate in front of a bar , the Petit Majestic , discussing film with other festival - goer . Needing a snack , we made our elbow room to a grab - and - go foodstuff storage , where I carry yogurt and fruit ( € 22.09 , or $ 23.92 ) before maneuver back to the bar . suffer in my magniloquent heels , feet screaming , I parted path with Jenny and adjudicate to call an Uber — but my phone reject to connect . urgently , I found a hotel and require the concierge to order me a cab . I took off my heels and sit down . The cab ride , which lasted all of seven minutes , was a whopping € 50 ( $ 54.27 ) , a cost I gladly paid in exchange for still have foot .
Day 4 - Sunday
entire cost : € 12.50 ( $ 13.57)Six hour after , I woke up , hungover , with my big toe still numb . Maybe the investor in the monk robe had discovered something heavy in his low shoelessness .
experience rough , I opted for the most casual of my Cannes rig and matte boat shoes . I met a sale agent who offered to represent my filmBerlin Loop — first mission , accomplished ! I still had a asleep bountiful toe and softly pulsing hangover , but suddenly I was on top of the humans .
After a Nespresso , I take in works - in - progress documentaries from Palestine . One pic , survey thePalestine Comedy Club , immediately had me in snag . In it , West Bank comic judge to make good sense of their comedy spell after October 7.It was a good mo to remember this festival is more than free deep brown and celebrity sightings ; sharing these voices at the world ’s most influential movie festival can make a real impact .
Photos by Emily Manthei
I sat outside on the roof of the building to exonerate my brain . The sunlight was warm but the wind from the sea carried a chill . I drink some water and partition out . Then I headed to the Plage des Palmes , wandered over to some lunch event , and make out with my worsening hangover in the Canadian Pavilion .
When I finally buzz off out of the Canadian Pavilion , I was on the hunting for a right spotlight to be ill , because I know it was coming . Instead , I ran into an Italian filmmaker , Silvia . We embrace and then I condone myself , leaving the festival sphere and arriving at the ft of a palm tree just in time for a speedy puke . walk back to the hotel along the Croisette , I already felt better . I mull over lay off for shabu pick and swim in the ocean , but opted instead for a nap and some Ibuprofen as Jenny left to catch her flight .
When I woke up , I changed and had my € 3 ( $ 3.26 ) pistachio tree soft - serve . I texted a booster to ask for her film recommendations , and land on the Jacques Audiard film , Emilia Perez . It ’s a trans melodic thriller about a drug lord who gets a sexual practice modification surgery . Or , as The Schmear Hunterdescribed it : “ SicariomeetsMrs . Doubtfire , and lest I leave to mention , it ’s a musical . ”
Photos by Emily Manthei
Day 5 - Monday
full cost : € 37.88 ( $ 41.12)Feeling well in both foot and head , I put on my black sandals and met two friend who had also seenEmilia Perezfor an off - campus breakfast . If you ca n’t attain fear in a cinema , incessant conversation is good enough . My Quaker Madeleine bought breakfast on her fellowship ’s expense report .
After an early gratuitous tiffin at the Saudi Pavilion and another meeting , I decide to venture into Ithiel Town to find some new dark glasses ( mine had break ) and bandaids at Monoprix , spend € 22.98 ( $ 24.94 ) . After applying the band - aid to my feet , I come back to the Marché for another meeting and the works - in - progress masking of my raw admirer Jessica ’s film , Pour the Water as I Leave , directed by Daniela Repas . The undertaking uses alive - action , expressionist modernistic dancing , which is after enliven , to tell the taradiddle of war survivor and refugees from Bosnia .
The twenty-four hour period ended with another group meeting , and my first glass of rosé since Saturday , in a hotel lobby with a French producer / philosopher . I grab a panini for € 11.90 ( $ 12.92 ) and went to a viewing of shorts called Straight8 . Each was made of a unmarried three - minute canister of Super8 photographic film , shot and submitted without processing or post - production . The fete showcased the eight best reels — burst of creativeness , charming error , and all — with even the movie maker seeing their creations for the first clip .
Photos by Emily Manthei
Day 6 - Tuesday
entire price : € 119.90 ( $ 130.15)Although Monday was my last dark at the Airbnb , my train menage was scheduled for 6 am Wednesday , so I booked Tuesday night at a further - away hotel for $ 100 . On Tuesday daybreak , I packed up the room and wheel my suitcase to lunch with Jessica and Daniela , the distaff documentary film maker who had become my friends , as well as some friend from Berlin . We talked about everything — adult female ’s voices , underrepresented narratives , refugee movie maker , and the way documentaries ply space for conversations that are even more important than the films themselves . Jessica insisted on buy us luncheon .
Afterwards , I planned to take the Cannes public double-decker to my raw hotel , but after waiting for half an time of day and catch on a bus , I somehow end up back at the fundamental train station . I wrote to Jessica and involve if I could crash with her instead , eat the cost of that last - moment hotel booking . Jessica said yes , but I was still stuck with my bag . The fete campus , creep with security , reject to let me inside . I cease in a fancy hotel and asked the receptionist , “ Can I lay in my baggage with you for a few hours ? ”
“ Of course , ” he replied courteously . “ You are outride with us , are n’t you ? ”
Photos by Emily Manthei
“ No , ” I admit sheepishly .
“ perhaps a friend … ? ”
I shook my caput .
“ I ’m trying to aid you out , ” he whisper . I smile . “ Now . Do you have a supporter stick with us ? ”
I nod . He inquire for the way number , which I dutifully made up . He took my luggage , the dance of deception complete .
Returning to the fete ground , I had my first and only glass of Champagne-Ardenne , went to one last party , and lastly retrieved my luggage with Jessica and Daniela before a few brief hour of sleep at their place .
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Day 7 - Wednesday
Total cost : € 27.90 ( $ 30)A 6 am train took me by from the festival legerdemain and towards Marseille , but by this point in the trip , I was quick to cut off toll . I book buses ( much meretricious than trains ) for the larger portion of my issue journeying , but that meant a longer , less comfortable , ride . Once I get to Marseilles , I went on a bit of a power paseo , had an omelet breakfast at a brasserie near the station for € 13.50 ( $ 14.52 ) , and take the air around some more before flummox a 2nd coffee for € 2.50 ( $ 3 ) . I buy a salad and chocolate mousse to take with me for € 11.90 ( $ 12.80 ) . Then , it was off to the jitney station for an epic 12 - hour ride to Strasbourg . Luckily , I had my lunch and snacks with me , and I attempt to sleep throughout the journey . This resulted in an infinity of napping and waking , what with all the destination stops and coffee - break stops for the machine driver .
When we arrived in Strasbourg at 10 pm , I caught the last train across the border to Germany , a 25 - minute drive to Offenburg , where I would catch my last string . I waited for 45 minutes on the platform and got on the Flixtrain , a low - cost , dull - than - usual German string , where I presently fall upon there was no dining car . Between sleep and the shock of almonds I had brought with me , I made it through the next seven hour before last pulling into Berlin ’s central train station the next day , exhausted from 25 hours of travel .
How it all broke down
Upfront and travel costs:€864.61 ( $ 938.29)Costs from the week:€385.33 ( $ 414.45)Final total:€1,249.94 ( $ 1344.39)How much I spent compared to my original budget:$144.39 over budget
