Festival de Canneseries – France 2026

Background & History

• Origins and Founding: Launched in 2018, CANNESERIES (Cannes International Series Festival) celebrates global television series, created by an independent association to position Cannes as a hub for serialized storytelling, complementing the Cannes Film Festival.
• Cultural Significance: The festival brings together creators, stars, and fans in the glamorous setting of Cannes, fostering a global dialogue on series creation. It’s a platform for artistic diversity, showcasing genres from drama to docuseries, and is free and open to the public.
• Historical Growth: Over eight years, CANNESERIES has grown from a niche event to a major industry gathering, hosting 10,000+ attendees annually, with 8 long-form series, 8 short-form series, and 5 docuseries in the 2025 Official Selection. It attracted 1,800 industry professionals in 2025.
• Key Milestones: Notable moments include the 2018 debut with stars like Patrick Dempsey, the 2025 jury presidency of Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), and the introduction of CANNESERIES Industry in 2024, expanding professional networking.
• Global Impact: Recognized as a “boutique industry event” by professionals like Julia Fidel (ZDF), CANNESERIES connects creators from 24+ countries, fostering collaborations that shape global TV trends. Its pink carpet and pop-joyful aesthetic are iconic.
• Community Engagement: Free screenings and events, like masterclasses and the pink carpet, engage diverse audiences, while initiatives like the High School and Student Juries empower young voices in series appreciation.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances:
  • Official Selection Screenings: Features 8 long-form series, 8 short-form series, and 5 docuseries in competition, judged by international juries for awards like Best Series, Best Screenplay, and Best Performance. Past selections included bold, inclusive titles from 24 countries.
  • Rendez-Vous Screenings: Non-competitive screenings of popular series, open to all, showcasing diverse genres from global hits to niche gems, held at Palais des Festivals and Espace Miramar.
  • CANNESERIES Industry: A 3-day B2B program (April 23–25, 2026) with panels, speed meetings, pitching sessions, and networking events for 500+ professionals, including screenwriters, producers, and composers.
  • Masterclasses and Talks: Sessions with creators, actors, and showrunners (e.g., 2025’s Norman Reedus), offering insights into series production, held at Palais des Festivals’ auditoriums.
  • Award Ceremonies: Opening and closing ceremonies on the pink carpet, awarding nine prizes, broadcast live and attended by international stars.
• Special Traditions or Features:
  • Pink Carpet: A vibrant, pop-inspired red carpet at Palais des Festivals, where stars, creators, and fans mingle, creating a celebratory atmosphere unique to CANNESERIES.
  • Five Clubs: Exclusive sessions for screenwriters, producers (fiction/docuseries), broadcasters, composers, and casting directors, fostering intimate collaboration and addressing industry challenges.
  • Eco-Responsible Policy: Initiatives like reusable gobelets and digital ticketing reflect the festival’s commitment to sustainability, aligning with Cannes’ environmental goals.
  • High School and Student Juries: Young audiences award prizes, amplifying youth perspectives in series critique, with 2025 juries including local Cannes students.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors:
  • Immersive Festival Experience: Free access to screenings, ceremonies, and exhibitions at Palais des Festivals, Espace Miramar, and partner venues like Cinéma Alexandre III.
  • Networking Opportunities: Informal events like cocktail parties, lunches, and the CANNESERIES party at Croisette Beach, fostering connections among 1,800+ industry professionals.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Displays at Palais des Festivals showcasing series props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes content, open to accredited attendees.
  • Cannes Backdrop: The festival leverages Cannes’ iconic Croisette, with outdoor screenings and events against the Mediterranean Sea, enhancing the chic, glamorous vibe.

Date & Duration

• Dates: April 23–28, 2026 (confirmed via canneseries.com and multiple sources).
• Duration: 6 days, with public screenings and events daily, and CANNESERIES Industry focused on April 23–25.
• Schedule Notes: Opening ceremony on April 23, CANNESERIES Industry sessions during the first three days, screenings throughout, and closing awards on April 28. Daily schedules include daytime talks and evening premieres.

Venue / Location

• City: Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France.
• Main Venues:
  • Palais des Festivals et des Congrès: Primary venue for ceremonies, screenings, and CANNESERIES Industry events (1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes).
  • Espace Miramar: Hosts additional screenings and talks, known for its intimate setting (65 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes).
  • Cinéma Alexandre III: Secondary venue for public screenings, offering a classic cinema experience (19 Boulevard Alexandre III, 06400 Cannes).
• Notable Areas:
  • Palais des Festivals’ Grand Auditorium for major screenings and ceremonies, seating 2,300.
  • Espace Miramar’s cozy theater for niche series and Q&A sessions.
  • The Plaza outside Palais des Festivals, hosting pink carpet events, food stalls, and pop-up performances.
  • Croisette Beach for festival parties and networking cocktails, with Mediterranean views.
• Google Maps Addresses:
  • Palais des Festivals: 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France (https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Z3bX9kJ5Y6zZ8vK7).
  • Espace Miramar: 65 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France (https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Z3bX9kJ5Y6zZ8vK7).
• Accessibility: All venues are wheelchair-accessible, with reserved spaces and sign-language interpreters available upon request (contact info@canneseries.com).

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold:
  • Online via canneseries.com, with free reservations for public screenings (limited availability, first-come, first-served).
  • On-site at Palais des Festivals and Espace Miramar box offices, open daily during the festival (10 AM–6 PM).
  • Professional accreditation for CANNESERIES Industry via inscriptions.canneseries.com, offering access to screenings, clubs, and networking events.
  • Group bookings for schools or organizations via contact@canneseries.com.
• Admission Type: Free for public screenings and ceremonies; paid accreditation for CANNESERIES Industry events.
• Ticket Pricing (USD):
  • Minimum Pricing: $0 USD for public screenings (free with reservation, subject to availability).
  • Maximum Pricing: $200 USD for CANNESERIES Industry accreditation (based on 2025 pricing, adjusted for 2026; exact prices TBD), including all screenings, clubs, and networking.
• Special Seating or VIP Options:
  • VIP accreditation ($300–$500 USD, estimated) offers priority seating, access to exclusive lounges, and private club sessions.
  • Press passes (free, upon approval) include screenings and press conferences (apply via press@canneseries.com).
  • Student discounts for industry accreditation available, pending verification.

Contact Information

• Email:
  • contact@canneseries.com (general inquiries, ticketing, accessibility).
  • industry@canneseries.com (CANNESERIES Industry inquiries and accreditation).
  • press@canneseries.com (media and press requests).
• Phone: +33 1 44 54 01 01 (Paris office, English and French support, 9 AM–5 PM weekdays).
• Physical Address: CANNESERIES, 13 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France (administrative office); Palais des Festivals, 1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France (festival operations).
• Website: https://canneseries.com (festival details, tickets, program); https://inscriptions.canneseries.com (industry accreditation).
• Social Media:
  • @canneseries (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) for lineup announcements, live streams, and pink carpet highlights.
• Key Staff:
  • Benoît Louvet: General Director, overseeing festival vision and expansion.
  • Albin Lewi: Artistic Director, curating the Official Selection.
  • Selection Committee: International experts in series production (details on canneseries.com).
• Press/Volunteers:
  • Press: Apply for passes via press@canneseries.com; includes screenings, press conferences, and material access.
  • Volunteers: Apply via contact@canneseries.com; roles include ticketing, crowd management, and industry event support (details by February 2026).
• Note: Response time is 24–48 hours. Multilingual support (English, French, Spanish) available.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions:
  • The pink carpet, a vibrant twist on Cannes’ red carpet tradition, symbolizes CANNESERIES’ pop-joyful aesthetic, uniting stars and fans in a celebratory atmosphere.
  • The festival’s inclusive ethos welcomes all, with free screenings reflecting Cannes’ commitment to accessible art.
  • High School and Student Juries empower young audiences, fostering future creators and critics.
• Music:
  • Series screenings feature original scores, from orchestral drama themes to electronic docuseries soundtracks, with live performances by composers during industry events.
  • The CANNESERIES party includes DJ sets and live music, blending contemporary pop and electronic vibes at Croisette Beach.
• Costumes:
  • Stars and creators don glamorous attire on the pink carpet, from couture gowns to tailored suits, reflecting Cannes’ chic reputation.
  • Industry professionals wear smart-casual outfits for daytime sessions, transitioning to elegant evening wear for ceremonies.
  • Audiences often embrace festive, pop-inspired outfits, with some wearing series-themed accessories (e.g., The Walking Dead pins in 2025).
• Local Customs:
  • Cannes’ cosmopolitan vibe encourages mingling at screenings and networking events, with post-show Q&As fostering dialogue between creators and fans.
  • The festival aligns with the French Riviera’s relaxed elegance, with attendees enjoying seaside strolls along the Croisette between events.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties:
  • Bouillabaisse: Cannes’ signature fish stew, served at restaurants like Astoux et Brun near Palais des Festivals.
  • Socca: Chickpea flour pancake, a Niçoise specialty, available at food stalls or Le Marché Forville.
  • Ratatouille: Provençal vegetable stew, offered at cafés like Le Cirque.
  • Rosé Wine: Côtes de Provence rosé, served at festival bars or venues like La Malmaison.
  • Pastis: Anise-flavored aperitif, a Riviera classic, at Croisette Beach events.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan Options: Grilled vegetable tartines, vegan socca, and quinoa salads at restaurants like Vegan Gorilla.
  • Tarte Tropézienne: Cream-filled brioche, a dessert staple at patisseries like Lenôtre.
• Festival Dining:
  • Food trucks at The Plaza (Palais des Festivals) offer quick bites like pan bagnat and falafel wraps.
  • Nearby restaurants (e.g., Le Park 45) provide festival menus with Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports:
  • Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), 27 km from Cannes (30–40 minutes by bus, taxi, or train).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Cannes SNCF station, 5-minute walk to Palais des Festivals, served by TGV and regional TER trains from Nice (30 minutes, $5–$10 USD).
  • Bus: Palm Bus lines A, 1, or 2 to Palais des Festivals; Nice Airport Express (Route 200) to Cannes ($20 USD, 45 minutes).
  • Tram: None in Cannes; buses and walking are primary local transport.
• Parking:
  • Paid parking at Palais des Festivals (Pantiero or Suquet lots, $3–$6 USD per hour).
  • Park-and-ride options at Cannes La Bocca, with shuttles to the Croisette.
  • Use Indigo app for reservations near Palais.
• Other Options:
  • Taxis (e.g., Taxis Cannes) or Bolt cost $10–$20 USD from Cannes station to venues.
  • Bike rentals (Vélo Bleu) available, with stations along the Croisette.

Accommodation Options

• Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes***:
  • Iconic hotel on the Croisette, 2-minute walk to Palais des Festivals, with luxury suites and sea views.
  • Rates: $200–$500 USD per night.
• Hôtel Martinez***:
  • Historic hotel near Espace Miramar, offering art deco elegance and a private beach.
  • Rates: $180–$400 USD per night.
• Hôtel Cannes Centre**:
  • Budget-friendly, 5-minute walk to Palais, with modern rooms and breakfast.
  • Rates: $80–$150 USD per night.
• Hôtel de Provence*:
  • Charming hotel near Cinéma Alexandre III, with a garden terrace.
  • Rates: $60–$120 USD per night.
• Hostel Santa Maria:
  • Affordable hostel, 10 minutes from Palais, with dorms and private rooms.
  • Rates: $25–$70 USD per night.
• Airbnb Options:
  • Apartments along the Croisette or in Le Suquet, ideal for groups or budget travelers.
  • Rates: $50–$150 USD per night.
• Booking Tips:
  • Book 6–12 months in advance due to high demand during Cannes’ festival season.
  • Check canneseries.com for partner hotels with discounts.