The 74^th edition of Cannes Film Festival is set to take place this July. Held in the glamourous town of Cannes on the French Riviera, it is one of the ‘Big Three’ of European film festivals. It sits alongside Berlin’s International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, and is also one of the top five internationally recognised film festivals. Let us look at the key venues of Cannes Festival in relation to the history of the event.

The Municipal Casino

The Municipal Casino in Cannes historically plays a key role in the famous film festival. In 1939, Cannes was nominated to host the festival thanks to the town’s luxurious atmosphere. The town’s ability to convert its prestigious casino into a theatre hall was considered an asset when deciding the festival location. The casino was already a popular spot for high society tourists, thanks to its coastal location and luxurious design. The venue matches the charming and opulent nature of the town, making it an ideal stage for this world-famous event.  

The idea of using casinos as film festival venues is a popular one. A variety of festivals, including Silver State Film Festival and Charlotte Black Film Festival in Las Vegas, traditionally incorporate a mix of films and casino entertainment for their guests. 

Recently, both the film and casino industry have been adapting to introduce innovative ways for their products to be accessed online. Whilst Cannes Festival is making a physical come-back this year, a variety of film festivals will continue to take place virtually, including some hybrid programs. Meanwhile, respected betting sites are bringing the casino home, offering attractive free spins and bonuses for online casino games.

The Palais Croisette

Another historical venue is the Palais Croisette, which was commissioned in 1947 as the festival’s main venue. A grand opening was promised in September that year, but construction was seriously hindered by a series of delays. Construction teams worked 24/7 to make the September deadline. At the grand opening, the workmen stood in overalls on a stage of flowers and received a standing ovation from guests in suits and dresses. However, there were still unfinished areas and on the final day the temporary roof flew off due to a violent storm! Guests were escorted back to the Municipal Casino for the final ceremony. When completed, the Palais Croisette became the host venue for the following three decades.

The Palais des Festivals et des Congress

In the late 1950s, as the popularity and size of Cannes grew, its venues needed a further revamp. After various failed proposals to expand the original Palais Croisette, it was decided to build a new Palais which opened in 1983. The Palais was not immediately popular with guests, who had grown to love the charm of the former venue. However, with time, the new Palais has been updated along with the event. As well as a series of impressive interior developments, the Palais has undergone external renovation to ensure it keeps up with the prestigious and iconic image of Cannes Film Festival.