Cannes Film Festival, France

Cannes is the biggest and most famous film festival in the world.

Best known for starlets on the beach, stars on yachts and fractious bunfights at controversial screenings, the festival also has a proud history of upholding artistic standards within an industry increasingly dominated by the bottom line.

Most of the action takes place at the famous Palais des Festivals, although screenings do take place all over the town. The beach is the place to see the starlets doing their thing, and although most Cannes Film Festival Events are strictly by invitation only, there are film screenings open to the public.

In addition to the main competition, the festival has a fiercely competitive short film competition and the Un Certain Regard competition which includes high-quality features deemed not suitable for the main competition, yet certainly worthy of recognition.For more information on cost and times visit www.festival-cannes.fr.