On May 11, 2012, thirteen event management students from Central Michigan University and myself will board an Air France plane in Detroit and fly to France to work at the Cannes International Festival of Film. Students participating in this year’s festival will program, launch, and lead events located in and around the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the Marché du Film, and the American Pavilion (AMPAV).

This is the second year CMU students will work at the Cannes Festival of Film.  In 2011, event management students built an exceptional reputation by bringing a specific skillset and the knowledge necessary to make an event of this magnitude successful. In fact, many of the celebrities that attended last year (Johnny Depp, Penelepe Cruz, Peter Fonda, Faye Dunaway, Ryan Gossling, and others), counted on CMU event management students to ensure the highest level of service and support. This year will be no different. The 13 selected candidates have completed all prerequisites, they have completed training on film festival operations, and they are prepared.

CMU students at AMPAV are regarded as industry experts, charged with planning and executing press screenings, celebrity parties, and VIP receptions. However, there are a few perks!  Aside from coordinating events at the film festival, Christian Matthews (Rochester) is looking forward to long-boarding on his way to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, and the Marché du Film each morning.  Vittoria Valenti (Shelby Township) and Alissa Enszer (Midland) see this as a once in a lifetime experience to work abroad with students and professionals of different cultures.  Samantha Grabenhorst (Clio) can’t wait to meet new people and attend movie screenings.  Lindsay Anderson (Royal Oak) and Alisha Rickman (Traverse City) are excited for the experience to travel out of the country for the first time, and Kyle Schierlinger (Rochester Hills) and Danny Fancher (Leslie) can’t wait to experience the Mediterranean and explore Cannes in their free time. Danny says, “being on the coast, soaking up the Mediterranean sun while working, networking, and representing CMU at an international event, is an experience most people would never have their entire lifetime.”

Be sure to follow us on this blog as we spend 18 days at the most prestigious event in the world!  Viva Le Cinema!