Cannes Film Festival 2025

It’s that time of year again where all the Hollywood stars flock to the sparkling shores of the French Riviera. Yes, Cannes Film Festival is officially underway. The prestigious film festival has taken over the south coast of France, celebrating the world of cinema once again. As well as showcasing incredible talent from the film industry, many eyes will also be on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet with stars parading some memorable looks.

When is Cannes Film Festival 2025?

The 78th edition of Cannes Film Festival began on Tuesday 13th May and will be running until Saturday 24th May 2025.

What is Cannes Film Festival?

Cannes Film Festival is a 12-day line-up showcasing the best of world cinema. It has been running since 1946 and has become one of, if not, the most important film festival in the world. The festival features screenings of new films and brings professionals in the film industry together.  

Where is Cannes Film Festival located?

Cannes Film Festival is located in Cannes, a town on the French Riviera in the south of France. It’s renowned for being a glamorous place with picture-perfect beaches, luxurious hotels, incredible restaurants and a great shopping scene.

Can anyone go to Cannes Film Festival?

Unfortunately, the festival is mainly aimed at professionals in the film industry and it’s difficult for the general public to get a ticket. However, there are plenty of ways you can get involved in the festival if you’re in Cannes.

Things to do during the Cannes Film Festival:

Even if you haven’t got a ticket, Cannes is a great place to be during the film festival, with plenty of events for the public to enjoy.

Here’s our round-up of the top things to do during the Cannes Film Festival:

• Head to Cinéma de la Plage – there are free open-air screenings on the beach every night. Screenings usually start at 9.30pm although we’d recommend getting there early to get a seat.
• Stroll down the Croisette – this famous boulevard in Cannes is a great celeb-watching spot. Plus, it’s the perfect place to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Cannes.
• Admire the Cannes fait le mur – an annual exhibition in Cannes with large-scale photos of film stars dotted throughout the streets.

Getting to Cannes

By plane:

You can fly to Nice from many major UK cities. Once you’ve arrived in Nice, you can get a bus to Cannes in less than half an hour.

By ferry:

Cannes is a port town, with a total of 5 ports. The main port is known as Vieux-Port or Old Port. You can get ferries to Cannes from local destinations such as Sainte Marguerite Island, Monaco and St Tropez.

However, if you’re coming from further away, it’s easier to get a ferry to Nice. You can get ferries to Nice from destinations including Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily.

Although there are no direct ferries to Nice from the UK, there are plenty of ferries to France. Ferries from the UK to France arrive in destinations such as Caen, Calais and Cherbourg. Once you’ve arrived in France, you can either get a train, drive or fly to the south of France.  

Popular UK to France ferries:

Dover to Calais 
Dover to Dunkirk 
Portsmouth to St Malo 
Portsmouth to Caen 
Poole to Cherbourg 

Travelling via Nice? Why not stay a little longer before heading off to Cannes and see what the capital of the French Riviera has to offer?

Here are our top things to do in Nice:

• Stroll along the city’s iconic Promenade des Anglais, a waterfront promenade with a vibrant atmosphere and lovely views
• Climb Colline du Château where you can enjoy stunning views of the city
• Explore Vieux Nice (Old Town) with its charming streets and historic buildings
• Admire the amazing architecture of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral
• Relax on Promenade des Anglais beach, the most famous beach in Nice

Whether you’re already in France and are looking for things to do whilst you’re there or you fancy a spontaneous adventure, why not head to Cannes and mingle with the stars? Book your ferry to France online at Direct Ferries today.