Jellyfish alerts in Cannes and Nice

Jellyfish - a recurring problem in every Mediterranean country - have been causing problems along the Côte d'Azur. It is reported that in one day, the emergency services received 500 calls for the stretch between Cannes and Nice alone. Local authorities have reacted by installing nets and in some cases "jellyfish hoovers", boats equipped to remove them from the sea.

Jellyfish used to be a problem every eight years or so. However changes in the Mediterranean mean that they are now an almost annual fixture. Scientists are not sure why, claiming changes in the biosystem or an increase in the sea's average temperature are responsible.

For people visiting the Mediterranean, remember to check for flags or signs on the beach before entering the water.

Cannes Lions: What are you missing?

The annual advertising get-together is often portrayed as a gigantic piss-up (excuse my French). But there are nonetheless lots of events there worth a spin. I just checked out the seminar programme here. A few things caught my eye: notably the much-maligned Rupert Murdoch in conversation with Y&R; a talk titled "A day in the life of a mobile phone in Seoul" (I'm presuming there's more to this than it seems); and a wonderful talk entitled "Don't create an ad, start a conversation", signed Nick Moore, EVP, Chief Creative Officer - Wunderman.

I love this idea, but I'm a little wary of the blurb: "The days of the brand monologue are over. Today the consumer is an active participant, passionately engaged in conversations with the brands they love and hate. So today’s ideas have to do more than drive an ad: they have to be capable of reacting in real time to everything the customer says and does."

That's nice enough if your audience is passionately engaged. But let's not forget that the advertising business also relies on generating new traffic and sales. And who has the time and budget to "react in real time to everything"?

Having said that, if I was in town, I'd check this out.

And now... a Roman Holiday for Cannes

Rome was very definitely one of the world's movie-making capitals for some time, and still is home to the Cinecitta facilities and numerous movie companies. So it's nice to see that it is still keeping up with things. In addition to hosting a good festival in September, the city is about to show a selection of films from this year's Cannes festival between June 5-12 in various cinemas across town. Ten Cannes classics will also be shown, with talks by film-makers, actors and professionals (and there are no lack of those in Rome itself).

For details, visit Cannes a Roma (in Italian). Our thanks to Wanted in Rome for the tip.

Post-Cannes networking event in London

Cannes is about meeting people. So it's interesting to see that a post-Cannes networking event is to be held in London by the PIM Club (People in Media). Here's the blurb: "If you are in Cannes, if you didn't make it this year or if you work within the media industry this is a great opportunity to meet people who are making their media dreams come true! Come and network with people for advice, contacts or even getting your next contract and big break - it's happened several times at the PIM Club.

Post Cannes Networking Evening
Tuesday 3rd June, 7.pm - 10.30pm
7pm - Arrival & mingling
8pm - 9pm - Speed networking - a great way to make many more contacts
9pm onwards continue mingling and making lot's of contacts."

To sign up, visit the PIM Club.

Cannes kicks out the glam

A dominant tone in many of the most talked-about films at this year's Cannes is one of social realism. From the Dardenne brothers' "Silence of Lorna" to Walter Selles' "Linha de Passa" (shot in Brazilian slums), there is a strong touch of social realism. This was also true even in one of the mainstays of popular cinema: the gangster flick. Matteo Garrone's "Gomorra" takes a hard look at the Neapolitan crime syndicate, using Roberto Saviano's book as the source material. Saviano is under police protection.

As usual, however, the queues outside the Palais looking for invitations were all for Indiana Jones and Clint Eastwood's "The Changeling".

Wish you were here?

There won't be much in the way of news over the coming few days, as I will be in Cannes for the film market. I'll be shopping two projects, "Protag" and "Tunerz", being developed with a director and producer respectively.

Wish me luck.

UK film centre posts Cannes events

The UK film centre is always a hive of activities during the film festival. This year's events include a wide range of conference and talks. These include talks about micro-budgets, distribution and the Internet, secrets of co-production and a screenwriter's workshop (from EON, no less. If you have to ask who they are, maybe you shouldn't come).

There is also wi-fi access, a bar and a busy beach terrace.

For details, click on UK Film.