What to Do at the Cannes Film Festival

It's the ultimate party; Festival de Cannes is a 12-day ceremony (May 14-25) of soirees and screenings for the international film industry to show off their latest cinematic creations for a panel of esteemed judges.

A mob of 250,000 visitors, including filmmakers, porn stars and everyday wannabes descends on La Croisette to watch the nightly parade of celebrities ascend the famous red carpeted staircase for big budget film premieres like this year's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, starring Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf and Cate Blanchett.

Not In The Movie Business?

For those not in the film business, there are really only a few ways to experience Cannes. The easiest and most glamorous way is to sail your megayacht into the bay and host one of the many lavish yacht parties that are the hottest ticket in Cannes.

It's wise to keep parties intimate and exclusive. Take inspiration from last year's small soirées by designer Alberta Ferretti on her retro-chic 1950s yacht.

If you're more the humble millionaire than showy billionaire, scour the local luxury hotels for any available suites and then allow the hotel concierge to arrange your social calendar.

	Cannes Beach

Many of Cannes' top hotels like the Martinez and nearby Hotel Du Cap are often given access to guests lists for several of parties and nightlife events. While they're not likely to get you into the festival's top screenings, good networking skills and a bit of social climbing may help your cause.

Cannes' Top Hotels

For those looking to maximize their festival experience, a room in the city is your best option. Three hotel palaces currently rule Cannes including the Carlton Intercontinental, Majestic Barriere, and The Martinez.

French luxury chain Lucien Barriere recently completed the first phase of a full overhaul of the Majestic Barriere. Rooms and suites feature a polished spin on traditional French décor with glossy-gold Chippendale chairs, velvet-upholstered sofas and sleek new plasma TVs. While the pool area will be closed during the 2008 festival, the pier and beach club are fully operational for attaining a bronzy glow for evening events.

	Cannes at Night

If your intentions are to only visit Cannes at night for the private parties and nightclubs, consider booking a hotel in Cap d'Antibes, such as the Eden Roc Hotel Du Cap.

Last year, the hotel was host to Brad and Angelina, as well as the annual Vanity Fair party and Kid Rock bash.

For something more affordable, head closer to Juan Les Pins and the Hotel Belles Rives made famous by 1930's socialites and writer F. Scott Fitzgerald with its blue-and-white beach club on a rocky strip of the bay.

Dining Among the Stars

Those in Cannes for film business will likely spend most of their days in the hosted lunches in and around local screenings. Everyone else will get to indulge in the various beach clubs and outdoor cafes that line La Croisette during the film festival.

For the past several years, St. Tropez beach club La Voille Rouge has set up a Cannes outpost near the Palais de Festivals with all-day DJs and light lunch scene, followed by sponsored parties and dance events by night.

Further down the beach, Z-Plage is operated by the Martinez Hotel, and offers more of a true beach club setting with elegant pier area arranged with side-by-side mattresses and on-call butler service. The restaurant serves light seafood lunches and a fabulous Bellini to get you through the day. Surprisingly, the Martinez beach club is open to hotel guests and non-guests (extra fee) alike.

	The Red Carpet

As day turns into night, you'll want to have evening reservations secured if not attending a private party or special dinner screening. While most of Cannes' acclaimed eateries are in the luxury hotels, they're also full of chatty Americans who failed to score invites to the town's top dinner parties.