ARRI celebrates the artistry of cinema in Cannes 2023

From May 16 to 27, the global film industry had its annual rendezvous at the most prestigious film festival worldwide: The 76th Festival de Cannes. ARRI was widely present behind the scenes: The long-standing partnership with Directors’ Fortnight included the exclusive ARRI Soirée at Plage Quinzaine and illuminating the section’s red carpet with lighting fixtures. Throughout the festival, ARRI also continued to strengthen its close relationships with directors, cinematographers, and filmmakers from all over the world.

The top prize at Cannes, the Palme d’Or, went to director Justine Triet's “Anatomy of a Fall,” captured by cinematographer Simon Beaufils with the ALEXA Mini LF and illuminated with ARRI M-Series and ARRIMAX lights. The Grand Prize was awarded to “The Zone of Interest” (Director: Jonathan Glazer, DP: Lukasz Zal). ARRI cameras were also behind the Jury Prize winner “Fallen Leaves” (directed by Aki Kaurismaeki, cinematography by Timo Salminen).

The Un Certain Regard Prize was given to director Molly Manning Walker's drama “How to have Sex,” shot by DP Nicolas Canniccioni with the ALEXA Mini LF and lit with ARRI SkyPanel lights. The drama “Hounds” (Director: Kamal Lazraq, DP: Amine Berrada, shot with ALEXA Mini) was awarded the Jury Prize of Un Certain Regard.

In 2023, roughly two thirds of competing films in the Main Competition or Un Certain Regard relied on ARRI equipment. In fact, the vast majority of all feature films shown in Cannes were captured or illuminated with ARRI cameras, lenses, or lights—not only in the Official Selection, but also Director’s Fortnight and Critic’s Week.

“Goodbye Julia” (Director: Mohamed Kordofani, DP: Pierre de Villiers) wrote history as the first ever Sudanese film at Cannes. In the end, the social drama won the Freedom Prize in the Un Certain Regard section. It was selected by ARRI’s International Support Program, a global initiative to encourage emerging filmmakers’ visions. “Goodbye Julia”—shot on the ALEXA Mini LF—and many other productions were serviced and equipped by ARRI Rental.  For an overview of all Cannes films with ARRI equipment, please click HERE.

 
Following a longstanding tradition, ARRI hosted an exclusive Soirée on the Promenade de la Croisette. Numerous customers, partners, and friends from around the world—including several cinematographers from Cannes competition films—followed the invitation to celebrate the artistry of cinema together with ARRI experts from Camera Systems, Lighting, Rental, and Solutions. Showcased products included the ALEXA 35 with Signature Prime and Zoom lenses, the ARRI Orbiter, and Mini-B moving lights by Claypaky.

ARRI also equipped the photo call location at the JW Marriott Hotel with LED fixtures. On the red carpet inside the Théâtre Croisette where Directors’ Fortnight screenings were held, SkyPanel S60-Cs and L-Series lights illuminated the photo calls for casts and film crews as well as for photographers.

“For ARRI, it is an honor to support the most important film festival worldwide. In Cannes, we have the great opportunity to intensify our relationships with filmmakers and industry professionals—and to build new friendships every year,” says Natasza Chroscicki, Managing Director ARRI France & ARRI Business Development Director MED-Benelux-NA.

ARRI also took the opportunity to talk to cinematographers of festival films about their choices of cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment. In the upcoming weeks, stay tuned for video interviews with DPs Christopher Blauvelt (“May December”), David Ungaro (“Black Flies”), Agnesh Pakozdi (“Blackbird, Blackbird, Blackberry”), Pierre de Villiers (“Goodbye Julia”), Phedon Papamichael (“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”), José Luis Alcaine (“Strange Way of Life”), and many more on ARRI’s social media channels.

For all winners at a glance, please visit the official festival website www.festival-cannes.com. ARRI congratulates all the participants and well-deserved prize recipients of Cannes 2023.