Help Me Get To Cannes Film Festival
Donation protected
It’s Valerie Complex here! Freelance entertainment writer and film critic.
I’ve been granted press credentials to the Cannes film festival! (May 14 - May 25) I’ll be reviewing films for Awardwatch.com. Article compensation is covered, the outlet doesn’t have a huge budget to fund the trip, so I’m going to need some help.
Going to Cannes is will be an exciting challenge, but I understand it cost a pretty penny to navigate.
WHY DO I WANT TO ATTEND?
Proximity to access and opportunity doesn’t end because things are slowly improving at film festivals in the United States. I am a staunch supporter of equality and equity everywhere. With Cannes being one of the biggest film festivals in the world, I want to know how women and people of color are represented at this event. I want to know the dynamic and want to know what can be done to improve it. The plan isn’t just to review films, but also to observe, and share those observations with others to create a dialogue around what we’ve learned.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
Because of the cost of travel and accommodation expenses for this trip, all funds will go to a flight and place to stay during the festival. I’ve done research and the prices I’ve seen for everything are shocking. Other critics who’ve attended the festival before confirm these high prices are norm.
As far as urgency, the festival is three weeks away. Ideally, I’d like to have a ticket purchased by May 5 and before the prices go up even higher. Accommodations are a little easier to navigate because those prices are high no matter what time of the month it is.
For transparency sake, posting receipts will not be a problem in case people want confirmation for where their donations are going.
This may seem like asking at the last minute—and I do apologize for that—it took Cannes nearly a month to get back to me. I could have raised money earlier, but I didn’t want to raise money, and then find out I was rejected. I wouldn’t want to ask one for anything just based on ifs. I hope that makes sense.
THANK YOU!
Since I began with film criticism in 2013, the support the community has given me is nothing short of amazing. Even if my goals aren’t met, I will always be grateful for the help and support (especially from communities of color) give to me. Thank you and hopefully we can continue on this journey together!!
I’ve been granted press credentials to the Cannes film festival! (May 14 - May 25) I’ll be reviewing films for Awardwatch.com. Article compensation is covered, the outlet doesn’t have a huge budget to fund the trip, so I’m going to need some help.
Going to Cannes is will be an exciting challenge, but I understand it cost a pretty penny to navigate.
WHY DO I WANT TO ATTEND?
Proximity to access and opportunity doesn’t end because things are slowly improving at film festivals in the United States. I am a staunch supporter of equality and equity everywhere. With Cannes being one of the biggest film festivals in the world, I want to know how women and people of color are represented at this event. I want to know the dynamic and want to know what can be done to improve it. The plan isn’t just to review films, but also to observe, and share those observations with others to create a dialogue around what we’ve learned.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
Because of the cost of travel and accommodation expenses for this trip, all funds will go to a flight and place to stay during the festival. I’ve done research and the prices I’ve seen for everything are shocking. Other critics who’ve attended the festival before confirm these high prices are norm.
As far as urgency, the festival is three weeks away. Ideally, I’d like to have a ticket purchased by May 5 and before the prices go up even higher. Accommodations are a little easier to navigate because those prices are high no matter what time of the month it is.
For transparency sake, posting receipts will not be a problem in case people want confirmation for where their donations are going.
This may seem like asking at the last minute—and I do apologize for that—it took Cannes nearly a month to get back to me. I could have raised money earlier, but I didn’t want to raise money, and then find out I was rejected. I wouldn’t want to ask one for anything just based on ifs. I hope that makes sense.
THANK YOU!
Since I began with film criticism in 2013, the support the community has given me is nothing short of amazing. Even if my goals aren’t met, I will always be grateful for the help and support (especially from communities of color) give to me. Thank you and hopefully we can continue on this journey together!!
Organizer
Valerie Complex
Organizer
New York, NY