Cannes

Cannes in a tent

Lack of budget did not stop Elka Kerkhofs from getting to France to accompany her short film LASH to the Short Film Corner Market. Fresh out of film school, it was an opportunity not to be missed. She tells Ruby how she did it and what she learned.

Tell me about LASH
LASH is a 5 min animation film that was part of Cannes Short Film Corner Market from the 13 May 2009 until the 22 of May 2009. Lash was short listed (best 35 of 1915 films) for the Amazon Customer Awards at the festival.
Lash is about ‘religious persecution cannot kill the power of love’

Synopsis: Celina finds a dead body. By her touch she sees into another lifetime where this woman was her lover, but they died for their love. She now has a chance to heal the past and find peace.

How was your experience? What meetings and responses did you have?
As part of the Short Film Corner you get an accreditation that allows you to be part of the whole market in Cannes and see films in every cinema.
A very important part of the Short Film Corner is the Pitching workshops and LE PITCH competition where you pitch your next film in less then 3 min in front of a camera and this is broadcasted after the Cannes film festival finishes in France, the UK and the US and online on the ShortsTV website.
If Producers and or production houses like your idea, they will get in touch with you and you can make your next film…. Watch out for my pitch of my next film “Left Luggage” (Pitch number 391).

The other good thing about coming to Cannes is that you get to meet other Australian Industry Professionals and can meet them through Screen Australia’s Office on La Croisette! This year 185 Australians where present at the festival!
In my time at Cannes (and I only stayed for one week) I managed to collect 40 business cards and set up 5 meetings with producers and distributors to discus future film projects.
Most importantly, new connections where made and friendships built.

What did you learn in Cannes?

I did not come to Cannes with new scripts written ready for production, but had written some short treatments for a short animation film and a life action feature film!
I’m leaving Cannes with lots of new inspiration (the film screenings), reinforced confidence (the workshops) and a much better understanding of the film industry (the market)……(vitally important having come directly out of film school, nothing beats the real life experience) ….
Being at Cannes for the very first time is all a bit of an adventure…..I did not know what to expect and that was the best place to be in….. I managed to get tickets to opening night (By holding a sign up in front of Le Palais saying ‘Invitation opening night S.V.P.’) and walked the red carpet by surprise, survived a thunderstorm and lots of rain that flooded half of the campsite and managed to stay dry, met wonderful people and had some important and supportive meetings, and learned how to pitch with confidence and feel like I’m a contributing professional to this vast and divers film industry!
It was worth every penny and more.

Tell me about where you stayed and how you’ve managed to do the festival cheaply ?

Talking about pennies…

I did Cannes on a low, low budget in a tent on a campsite (Park Bellevue) 9 km out of Cannes in LA BOCCA .
Here is a break down of my funds

Flight Melbourne/Nice return aprox $2000.00 (Could be cheaper if you book way in advance or in promo times)
Bus Nice/Cannes return Euro 24.00
Bus Cannes/Campsite one way Euro 1.00
Tent site, No power, per night Euro 12.00
Food (include 3 meals) per day Euro 10.00 ….(You try and get into as many parties as possible and little snacks will become one meal too)
Free internet at Screen Australia office
Only send Texts via Mobile ( or buy a prepaid French Sim Card)

So Cannes is possible to do really cheaply!

What’s next for you?
Next month I will travel with the film to San Francisco for FRAMELINE the International LGBT Film Festival and to Palm Springs where Lash has been selected for the Palm Springs International ShortFest. I will attend both Festivals and markets with much more experience up my sleeve and I know what to do to prepare better for the next Film Market. On my return to Australia I will write and put a team together for my next short film ‘Left Luggage’ and my feature film “Spades in Hearts”. Next time when I return to Cannes my feature script will be written and ready for production, in order to be in a better position to secure immediate finance for the film.