Out-priced in Cannes? No room at the inn? Or, couldn't get there in time? Well, Cannes isn't the only star-studded film festival taking place in France this year! Here are some of the other great festivals of cinema that France has to offer for cinephiles, culture vultures and star-spotters - in some truly beautiful destinations.
Deauville American Film Festival
4th - 13th September
Celebrating the American film industry from Hollywood to independents, the Deauville American Film Festival is probably the second best-known film festival in France after Cannes. In recent years some huge stars have sashayed along Deauville's famous boardwalk including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett and Michael Douglas. One of France's most elegant seaside resorts, Deauville is also the home of horse racing in France, and the beautiful Normandy countryside around the town is filled with stud farms if you want to enjoy some relaxation away from the glitz of the festival in town.
Jessica Chastain at the Deauville American Film Festival 2014 - © Normandy Regional Tourist Board, Maggie McNulty
Dinard British Film Festival
30th September - 4th October
Popular with the British aristocracy during the Belle Epoque, coastal Dinard retains much of its 19th century glamour and is still a favourite upmarket holiday destination for Brits. So it's the perfect place for a British film festival! Last year's jury included Catherine Deneuve, Emilia Fox and director Kevin MacDonald with films such as Frank and '71 in competition for the Golden Hitchcock award. Who needs the Palme d'Or when you can have a mini statue of Hitchcock instead?
© Festival du Film Britannique
Cabourg Romance Film Festival
10th - 14th June
Now in its 29th year, the Cabourg Film Festival is the place to go for romantics. International in its scope, the festival showcases the best films about love from around the world. This year's jury is chaired by French actress, Juliette Binoche. The stylish town of Cabourg was a favourite of the writer Marcel Proust and you can watch the tides from the luxurious Grand Hotel, where a charity event is hosted each year at the festival, and gaze along the two and half miles of fine golden sand at Cabourg beach as he loved to do.
© www.calvados-tourisme.com
Nantes 3 Continents Film Festival
24th November - 1st December
A celebration of the cinemas of Africa, Latin America and Asia, the 3 Continents festival is one for real lovers' of foreign film and the artistry of cinema. A rare look at these three cinemas together on the festival circuit, the festival also works with the Producers of the South project providing funding to independent film productions in these continents. The backdrop of Nantes is also pretty special, a city renowned for its love of the creative arts. Don't miss the mechanical elephant that walks along the waterside!
The mechanical elephant by Machines de l'Ile in Nantes © Nautilus
Champs-Elysées Film Festival
10th - 16th June
The newest festival on this list in only its fourth year, the Champs-Elysées film festival is where American and French cinema meet. Jeremy Irons is one of the festival's presidents alongside Belgian actress Émilie Dequenne, with three films each in show. And, legendary director, William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) is one of this year's guests of honour. Hosted in chic venues along Paris' famous Avenue de Champs-Elysées, it's a good excuse for a short break in France's renowned capital.
Biarritz Latin American Film Festival
28th September - 4th October
Less than 2 hours' drive from the Spanish border and on France's Atlantic coast, Biarritz is a stunning destination. Once enjoyed by royalty, today it keeps much of its old-school elegance but it has also become the surfing capital of Europe. In fact, Hollywood screenwriter Peter Viertel was the first to surf here in 1956. This year's Latin American film festival is focused on the cinema and culture of Ecuador. Short films from ECLA Aquitaine and Kimuak Association in the Basque Country are also shown each year to complement the main competition.
Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival
18th - 27th September
The nerdy and eccentric cousin to the other film festivals on the list, the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival is where fantasy, horror and science fiction take over. Celebrating all that's great in European genre cinema, this is a festival where you can take part in a mass zombie walk to open the festival! The Gothic architecture of this area of Alsace-Lorraine near the border with Germany makes Strasbourg the ideal home for this unique festival, which has seen attendees include the king of the zombie movie, director George A. Romero, and master of the B-movies, producer/director Roger Corman in the past.