Our CSR Engagement

The Marché du Film - Festival de Cannes takes action to protect the planet

In order to incorporate the event and its structure into a proactive environmental process that is both realistic and sustainable, the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes is implementing a strategy based on two priority issues: CO2 emissions and waste management.

These two pillars have been identified as absolute priorities and will be tackled simultaneously through a two-fold approach:

Reducing (carbon emissions and waste)
Taking action through a voluntary carbon contribution to support environmental projects and valorize residual resources.

The idea is to completely transform the way in which the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes takes place. Naturally, this is a long-term policy, but the first high-impact measures were implemented since its 2021 edition.

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TRANSPORT

In 2023, 100% of the official car fleet was comprised of electric vehicles. Just like the vast majority of accredited visitors who navigate on foot due to the close proximity of the Festival's various venues, the artistic teams that travel to Cannes to showcase their films are also encouraged to walk wherever possible.

All participants can also enjoy free access to the City of Cannes’ public transport network thanks to their own dedicated pass, available online via their MyCannes account. Since 2021, more than 70,000 journeys have been made with this pass during the Festival.

PRINTING

Between 2019 and 2021, the Festival significantly reduced its traditional printed materials by 79% (already Imprim’Vert PEFC-certified). This reduction was achieved by its ongoing effort to digitalise publications and tickets, as well as by cutting back on print runs.

Film promotional materials for the press are now entirely digitalised as well.

FOOD & DRINKS

The Festival and Marché caterers have adhered to an ‘eco-responsible’ set of specifications, including a commitment to prioritise fresh, seasonal produce and support short supply chains. They have also pledged to provide vegetarian options, address food wastage and minimize overall waste.

single-use plastic

Plastic water bottles (over 22,000 units in 2019) have been completely eliminated. In conjunction with this initiative, water fountains have been strategically deployed throughout the Festival's various spaces.

SOUVENIRS

The origin of Festival merchandise and products from the official boutique underwent a comprehensive review, with a commitment to consistently explore alternatives that are sourced locally or in close proximity. French and European items are now prioritised for each new product added to the collection.

In 2022, 42% of all sales were "made-in-France" items, while sales of European-made products jumped from 11% to 23% between 2021 and 2022.

RECYCLING SOLUTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION

In 2021, a recycling system was implemented throughout the Palais des Festivals to help accredited visitors sort waste more effectively at the source.

Thanks to the environmentally-friendly policies implemented by the Palais des Festivals, the City of Cannes, and the Festival’s teams, a waste recovery rate of 99% was maintained, while the percentage of recovered materials increased from 77% in 2019 to 79% in 2022.

For the past decade or so, the Festival’s red carpet has been upcycled after the event and reused in various sectors, including the car, construction and agri-food industries.

In 2021, the Festival started experimenting with ways the red carpet could be recycled. It is now collected by an association specializing in the development of the circular economy and material transformation in the cultural and educational sectors of Southern France. The red carpet is cleaned and refurbished before being reused locally — preventing several tons of fabric from becoming waste and helping members of the association in turn. Over the past two years, it has been used for multiple set designs, as a backdrop for graduation ceremonies, and even transformed to upcycled objects. This is a shining embodiment of a zero-waste approach that seeks to reduce, reuse and recycle.

While the Palais du Festival’s front tarp has been upcycled since 2021, the volume of carpet used in the Village International areas was also reduced by 24% that same year. This optimisation effort has continued ever since (650m² of carpeting from the red carpet was eliminated in 2023). Since 2023, the Festival has begun experimenting with recycling the Village’s brackets and the Cinéma de la Plage’s screen, ensuring these materials are given a new lease of life.

CONTRIBUTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Over €2,200,000 has been raised to help save the planet.

Since 2012, the Festival has been committed to a voluntary carbon contribution initiative. In 2021, this commitment was formalized in 2021 with the implementation of an eco-contribution of €20 (exclusive of tax) for all accredited guests. This contribution addresses the emissions related to their travel to Cannes and their accommodation, which account for over 80% of the event’s carbon footprint each year (excluding the 2021 edition). Additionally, the Festival has pledged to an annual contribution of €100,000 to support environmental projects.

This unprecedented initiative has raised over €2,200,000 in funds since 2021, with €200,000 being direct contributions from the Festival.

In prepartion for the Festival, a committee of independent experts was established to ensure the funds were allocated to pertinent and trustworthy programs selected from 20 different environmental projects. The committee comprises:

Jean-François Camilleri, Founder & CEO of Echo Studio
Anna Creti, Professor of Economics at the Université Paris Dauphine, Director of the Climate Economics Chair and Chair of the Association Bilan Carbone
Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Research Director at CNRS, Sorbonne University and Institute for Sustainable Development & International Relations
Anne Girault, Energy & Climate Expert and Co-Founder of a mission-focused expert group

The raised funds are donated in full to environmental contribution and sponsorship projects. These projects span the globe, from the vicinity of Cannes to France and beyond (South America, Asia and Africa).

about ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

79% reduction in printed materials

99% waste recovery rate maintained

100% electrical vehicles in the car fleet

0 plastic water bottles

2,200,000€ raised with the eco-contribution

Other Commitments

Cannes: An ISO 20121 City

Cannes is one of 9 French cities that have united to embrace a more sustainable future through ISO 20121 certification. ISO 20121 provides guidance and best practices to guarantee a positive social, economic and environmental impact.

Access for Everyone

At the Marché du Film, we want everyone to be able to experience the magic of cinema. Therefore, we have made concerted efforts to facilitate access and mobility within the Palais des Festivals.

Taking Care of Our Children

Le Ballon Rouge is a collaborative initiative of the Festival and the Marché du Film, providing childcare and family-friendly service for market and festival attendees with infants or young children. This program includes childcare facilities, a dedicated space for breastfeeding, diaper-changing amenities and more.