(French: Le Festival International du Film de Cannes or just Festival de Cannes), is an annual film festival held in Cannes, South of France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is the world’s most prestigious and publicized film festival.  The invitation-only festival is held annually at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

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The Festival Programme…

The 2013 Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 15 to May 26, 2013. 

The Cannes Film Festival is organised in various sections…

• The Official Selection – The main event of the festival.
  • In Competition – The twenty films competing for the Palme d’Or. They are projected in the Théâtre Lumière.
  • Un Certain Regard – Twenty films selected from cultures near and far; original and different works. They are projected at the Salle Debussy.
  • Out of Competition – These films are also projected in the Théâtre Lumière but do not compete for the main prize.
  • Special Screenings – The selection committee chooses for these films an environment specially adapted to their particular identity.
  • Cinéfondation – About fifteen shorts and medium-length motion pictures from film schools over the world are presented at the Salle Buñuel.
  • Short Films – The shorts competing for the Short Film Palme d’Or are presented at the Buñuel and Debussy theatres. There are approximately 10 films in this competition.
• Parallel Sections – These are non-competitive programmes dedicated to discovering other aspects of cinema.
  • Cannes Classics – It celebrates the heritage of film, aiming to highlight works of the past, presented with brand new or restored prints.
  • Tous les Cinémas du Monde – It showcases the vitality and diversity of cinema across the world. Each day, one country is invited to present a range of features and shorts in celebration of its unique culture, identity and recent film works.
  • Caméra d’Or – It rewards the best first film of the Festival, choosing among the debutants’ works among the Official Selection, the Directors’ Fortnight and the International Critics’ Week selections.
  • Cinéma de la Plage – Screening of Cannes Classics and Out of Competition films for the mass public on Macé beach, preceded by a programme dedicated to film music.
• Other Sections – Produced by outside organizations during the Cannes Festival.
  • Directors’ Fortnight - From 1969, it cast its lot with the avant-garde, even as it created a breeding ground where the Cannes Festival would regularly find its prestigious auteurs.
  • International Critics’ Week
• Events
  • Marché du Film – The busiest movie market of the world.
  • Masterclasses – Given in public by world renowned filmmakers.
  • Tributes – Honors internationally renowned artists with the presentation of the Festival Trophee following the screening of one of their films.
  • Producers Network – An opportunity to make international co-productions.
  • Exhibitions – Each year, an artist, a body of work or a cinematographic theme becomes the focus of an exhibition that diversifies or illustrates the event’s programme.
  • 60th Anniversary – Events organised in 2007 dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Festival.

The Awards…

• Competition
  • Palme d’Or – Golden Palm
  • Grand Prix – Grand Prize of the Festival
  • Prix du Jury – Jury Prize
  • Palme d’Or du court métrage – Best Short Film
  • Prix d’interprétation féminine – Best Actress
  • Prix d’interprétation masculine – Best Actor
  • Prix de la mise en scène – Best Director
  • Prix du scénario – Best Screenplay
• Other Sections
  • Prix Un Certain Regard – Young talent, innovative and audacious works
  • Cinéfondation prizes – Student films
  • Caméra d’Or – Best first feature film
• Given by Independent Entities
  • Prix de la FIPRESCI – International Federation of Film Critics Prize
  • Prix Vulcain – Awarded to a technical artist by the CST
  • International Critics’ Week Prizes
  • Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
  • Palm Dog, for best canine performance.
    
  • Queer Palm, for LGBT-related films.
    

The 2013 Jury President: Steven Spielberg…

“My admiration for the steadfast mission of the Festival to champion the international language of movies is second to none. The most prestigious of its kind, the festival has always established the motion picture as a cross cultural and generational medium.”

Taking over the reins from the Italian Nanni Moretti, American director and producer Steven Spielberg agrees to head up the jury this year.

“As they say across the Atlantic”, said Gilles Jacob, President of the Festival de Cannes, “Steven Spielberg is a Cannes ‘regular’: Sugarland Express, Color Purple. But it was with E.T. that I screened as a world premiere in ‘82 that ties were made of the type you never forget. Ever since, I’ve often asked Steven to be Jury President, but he’s always been shooting a film. So when this year I was told “E.T., phone home”, I understood and immediately replied: “At last!”

“Steven Spielberg accepted in principle two years ago”, declared Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival. “He was able to make himself available this year to be the new Jury President and when meeting him these last few weeks it has been obvious he’s excited about the job. Because of his films, and the many causes he holds dear, he’s year-in year-out the equal of the very greatest Hollywood filmmakers. We are very proud to count him among us.”

“The memory of my first Cannes Film Festival, nearly 31 years ago with the debut of E.T., is still one of the most vibrant memories of my career, Spielberg goes on. For over six decades, Cannes has served as a platform for extraordinary films to be discovered and introduced to the world for the first time. It is an honor and a privilege to preside over the jury of a festival that proves, again and again, that cinema is the language of the world.”

About the Cannes Film Festival…

“Cannes belongs to each and every one of us who, year after year, from wherever we are and in our own individual way, contributes towards creating it step by step. It is only by constantly analyzing the Festival, adapting its function and encouraging debate about it that we will continue to make it the very best it can be. Cannes must be open to new ideas, while remaining faithful to its past, of course. Diversity can only enrich it. That´s what makes the Festival de Cannes our festival.”  Thierry Frémaux

The 66th Festival de Cannes promises to be an exciting one!

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Here are some photos taken in St Thibery in the Languedoc Region…

Visit the Guide to the St Thibery

The Carnival is a lively and colourful spectacle with wonderful costumes, parades and music.  The streets come to life with the vibrant atmosphere and the traditional Pierrot clowns with their distinctive white painted faces march and dance around to amuse the many spectators…

Limoux is best known for this annual festival. It is also called “Fecas” or “Carnaval de Limoux” in French language. This ancient festival is conducted in Occitan, the traditional language of the area (In Occitan the word Fecas is the name of a dance characteristic of the festival). This Festival is very popular for tourists and locals alike!

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The Official Carnival Program – January – Feburary – March…

06 Jan LES MEUNIERS

12 Jan
LES PICHOUNS – LES TAPS
13 Jan
L’ARAGOU

19 Janvier
LAS COUDENOS- LES ESTABOUSITS
20 Jan
LES ARCADIENS

26 Janvier
LES MAÏNATCHES – LES COPIN’S
27 Janvier
LE PONT VIEUX

02 Feb
LES REMENILS – LES INFIALURS D ACHILLE
03 Feb
LE TIVOLI

09 Février
LES PIOTOS – LES DROLES
10 Feb
MONTE CRISTO

12 Février ( MARDI GRAS )
LES ANCIENS

16 Feb
LES ENCANTADOS – LAS POUPINETOS
17 Février
LES AÏSSABLES

23 Feb
LES BROUNZINAÏRES – LES RAMBAÏURS
24 Février
LES BLANQUETIERS

02 Mar
LES PEBRADOUS – LES SIEURS D’ARQUES
03 Mar
LE PARADOU

09 Mar
CARNAVALS DU MONDE
LES AFOGATS

10 Mar
SORTIE DE TOUTES LES BANDES

11 Mar
SORTIE DES ECOLES

12 Mar
SORTIE DES ECOLES

13 Mar
CONCOURS DE TRAVESTIS ENFANTINS

15 Mar
LES RETRAITES

16 Mar
LES LIMOUXINS – LES JOUVES

17 Mar
NUIT DE LA BLANQUETTE ( Soirée de clôture )
LAS FENNOS

More about the Town: Limoux (French pronunciation: ​[limu]; Occitan: Limós [liˈmus]) is in the Aude department, a part of  Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. It lies on the river Aude about 30 km (19 mi) due south of Carcassonne in the South of France.

Crowds gather for the end of the world at the “sacred mountain” of Bugarach, the highest point of the Corbières at 1231 meters, situated in Languedoc Roussillon, Southern France.

Mayan apocalypse 21/12/12:  French authorities have pleaded with New Age fanatics, sightseers and media crews not to converge on Bugarach, where some believe will be one of the few places spared when the world supposedly ends.  However crowds including approx 250 Reporters have already arrived there.

Jean-Pierre Delord, the mayor of Bugarach, said: “I am making an appeal to the world – do not come to Bugarach.”  He added that police will from Wednesday block access to the southwestern village of 200 residents. Routes will also be blocked to the nearby Pic de Bugarach, a French mountain where rumour has it the hilltop will open on the last day – December 21 – and aliens will emerge with spaceships to save nearby humans!

Around 150 police officers will be on duty  – with more on standby – to turn away visitors from Bugarach. Although some locals are very happy with events as they are renting out rooms for 1500 Euro!

See more about the end of the world at Bugarach !

Beaujolais nouveau (French pronunciation: bo.ju.lay  nu.vo ) is a red wine produced in the Beaujolais region of France.  It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks before being released for sale on the third Thursday of November.

Beaujolais nouveau is made from the Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grape, better known simply as Gamay. The grapes must come from the Beaujolais AOC, with those of the ten “cru” appellations excluded. There is both Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau produced; the latter coming from the ~ 30 non-cru villages in the region.

Beaujolais nouveau is a purple-pink wine reflecting its youth, bottled only 6-8 weeks after harvest. The method of production means that there is very little tannin, and the wine can be dominated by such fruity ester flavours as banana, grape, strawberry, fig and pear drop. The wine is recommended to be slightly chilled to 13°C (55°F).

Beaujolais nouveau is intended for immediate drinking. While some nouveau can be kept for a few years, there’s no real reason to, as it doesn’t improve with age. For comparison, standard Beaujolais AOC wines are released the following year and can be stored for one or more years before consuming. The wines show definite variation between vintages, and as such are eagerly awaited as a first indicator of the quality of the year’s regional wine harvest.

Enjoy… ’tchin tchin’ !