The Cannes Film Festival: Study and Experiential Learning Excursion

2 Credits.

This course focuses on Cannes, one of the world’s oldest and most influential film festivals. We will explore the role of film festivals in fostering aesthetic communities and creating markets by reading about the culture, politics, and commerce of film festivals, Cannes in particular, and by watching films that permit us to compare Official Selections to less orthodox choices for parallel sections and concurrent festivals. Classes meet 8x during the semester. Attendance at all classes and evening screenings is mandatory.This two-credit course is the mandatory companion to AS.061.402 , Cannes Experiential Learning Excursion, when students attend the Cannes Film Festival. Students must have valid passports by the beginning of spring semester and be able to travel to France after semester’s end, 15-25 May 2026. Travel, lodging, and food will be paid for by JHU and FMS. Instructor approval required. Contact lmason@jhu.edu for further information.Students must submit a short essay on course goals, a short film review, and participate in an interview to be considered for enrollment. Do not use AI for application preparation.