Relax and Enjoy: Cannes Film Festival’s Cinéma de la Plage Brings Movies to the Beach

On a balmy late April afternoon, La Croisette buzzed with activity. Families strolled along the promenade, children clutched melting ice cream cones, and visitors captured selfies with the Mediterranean as their backdrop. At the heart of this scene, Plage Macé, a popular public beach, was alive with sunbathers, volleyball games, and swimmers.

For a fortnight, Plage Macé transforms into an open-air cinema, featuring a colossal movie screen nearly 80 feet wide by 20 feet tall, complemented by a sophisticated sound system. Six hundred deck chairs are set up for attendees, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This unique event, known as Cinéma de la Plage, is the Cannes Film Festival’s free nightly film series. In stark contrast to the festival’s often exclusive atmosphere, these screenings invite everyone to enjoy films under the stars, regardless of attire or status.

Thierry Frémaux, the festival’s artistic director, has described Cinéma de la Plage as a reminder that Cannes remains committed to being both a cultural and inclusive celebration.

Camilla Amelotti, who works at Les P’tits Bateaux, a children’s attraction situated just in front of Plage Macé, noted that Cinéma de la Plage offers an accessible alternative to the festival’s indoor events, especially appreciated by local film enthusiasts.