FESTIVAL GUIDE
The Festival is approaching! Check out our guide to make sure you don't miss any of the various events. Whether you’re a longtime festival-goer or just passing through Cannes on April 21 and 22, find all the information you need to make the most of your experience!
Les Arcades Cinema
For All Audiences!
For two days, the Les Arcades cinema in Cannes will host screenings for the World A.I. Film Festival. On the program: the Official Selections, unreleased documentaries, a youth program, as well as demonstrations, discussions, and masterclasses.
Download the guide (French)
LES ARCADES
Download the guide (ENGLISH)
LES ARCADES
Espace Miramar
The Festival’s Pro Talks!
Speakers from around the world are flocking to discuss AI and creativity. On April 21 and 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., roundtables and keynote speeches will take place at the Miramar Space, offering insights into the challenges facing the audiovisual industry in the age of AI.
Discover The Pro Talks
Panels & Keynotes
THE CEREMONIES
AT THE PALAIS DES FESTIVALS
TUESADAY 21 AVRIL – OPENING NIGHT
THÉÂTRE DEBUSSY– PALAIS DES FESTIVALS IN CANNES
The World AI Film Festival opens its new edition at the Théâtre Debussy in the Palais des Festivals with an exceptional evening dedicated to glamour, creativity, and innovation.
Following a VIP welcome, the traditional red carpet walk will bring together guests of honor, film industry figures, and international talents to launch the festival in style.
This opening ceremony will celebrate international WAIFFs, reflecting the event's truly global scope and the diverse perspectives shaping the cinema of tomorrow. Between speeches, artistic sequences, and moments of emotion, the evening will offer an immersive experience where images, music, and artificial intelligence converge.
7:00pm :
DOORS OPEN
8:30pm :
LAUNCH OF THE CEREMONY*
*BY INVITATION ONLY.
(MORE INFORMATION AT DEPARTEMENT06.FR)
WEDNESDAY 22 AVRIL – AWARDS CEREMONY
THÉÂTRE DEBUSSY– PALAIS DES FESTIVALS IN CANNES
The awards ceremony for the World AI Film Festival brings this second edition to a close. After a warm welcome and a red carpet walk bringing together the jury and winners, the evening begins with a cinematic immersion before giving way to a celebration of talent.
Presided over by Jury President Agnès Jaoui, the ceremony will honor the most outstanding works through the presentation of awards, recognizing creativity, innovation, and excellence.
Punctuated by powerful moments and shared experiences, this evening celebrates the diversity of perspectives and the emergence of new forms of storytelling in the age of artificial intelligence.
6:30 pm :
DOORS OPEN
8:00 PM:
LAUNCH OF THE CEREMONY*
*BY INVITATION ONLY.
(MORE INFORMATION AT DEPARTEMENT06.FR)
Download the program (FRENCH)
PALAIS DES FESTIVALS
Download the program (ENGLISH)
PALAIS DES FESTIVALS
VIP area
JW Marriott Cannes
Every lunchtime, a VIP area is open to all accredited professionals (Platimum Pass only); it is designed to distract from usual exchanges and advance new projects.
The Agenda: highlights
Monday April 20th
Opening Night – Marriott's Stephanie Beach (by invitation only)
7:00pm: Welcoming guests and welcome drinks
8:00pm: Opening and welcoming remarks, Charles-Ange Ginésy (President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department)
8:10pm: Presentation of the festival’s objectives by the organizers and official partners
8:30pm: Cocktail reception
9:30pm: Presentation of the Press Prize for Best French Short Film
10:30pm: End of the evening
Tuesday April 21rst
Opening night - Debussy Theatre (On invitation only - FULL)
7:00pm: Doors open
7:15pm: Official red carpet arrival
• Claude Lelouch, Honorary President
• Gong Li, Festival President, and Jean-Michel Jarre
• Agnès Jaoui, Jury President
• The jury members
• Representatives of international festivals…
8:30pm: The evening begins
8:30 – 8:45pm: Speeches by the President Charles Ange Ginesy, David Lisnard and Marco Landi
8:45pm: A tribute to Claude Lelouch and Gong-Li
9:10pm: Presentation: The Road To Cannes (WaiFF Brazil, Japan, Korea)
10:20pm: Closing concert by the Seoul Orchestra (30 min)
11:00pm: End
Wednesday April 22nd
Awards Ceremony - Debussy Theatre (On invitation only - FULL)
6:30pm: Doors open
7:00pm: Red carpet arrival with jury members and winners
8:05pm: Ceremony begins: Speech by Agnès Jaoui, Jury President, and introduction of the jury members
Presentation of the 9 awards:
• Youth Award (presented by the President and Agnès Jaoui)
• 4 Best Short Film Awards
• Minimax Award
• Best Feature Film Award (by CapCut)
• Best Original Soundtrack Award (by Jean-Michel Jarre)
• Best WAiFF Film Award (by Festival President Gong Li)
From 10:30 PM: Continue the evening at the Marriott Ambassadors’ Lounge (Closing Cocktail Reception)
