May 17-21, 2027 | $8000.00
Limited to 4 Participants
Cannes Portraiture
What to ExpectEach May, Wide Open Art returns to the Cannes Film Festival for its most intimate artist experience. Limited to just four participants, Cannes Portraiture is a four-and-a-half-day immersion into the world of international cinema through the language of portraiture. Working alongside photographer and director Mark de Paola, participants experience the creative rhythm of the Cannes Film Festival from within while creating portraits inspired by the people, stories, and atmosphere that define one of the world's most influential cultural events.
More than a photography experience, Cannes Portraiture offers a rare opportunity to live and work within one of the world's defining cultural events while exploring the enduring relationship between cinema, portraiture, and visual storytelling.
❋ Cannes Film Festival as your backdrop.Throughout the experience, participants photograph professional talent across Cannes and Antibes with production provided by Wide Open Art. Between portrait sessions, the festival itself becomes part of the experience: walking the Croisette as filmmakers, actors, producers, distributors, and artists from around the world gather to celebrate cinema, witnessing red carpet arrivals to premieres, gathering for conversations over long lunches and dinners, and immersing themselves in the extraordinary creative energy that transforms Cannes each spring.
❋ Cinema Imbued PortraitureRather than focusing solely on photographic technique, Cannes Portraiture explores how cinema inspires deeper human connection and shapes compelling portraiture. Throughout the experience, Mark shares his approach to creating authentic, emotionally resonant images within dynamic editorial environments while encouraging each participant to refine their own visual voice.
❋ Cannes Film Festival/Marche du Film AccessParticipants also receive accreditation through dePAOLA Pictures for the Marché du Film, the world's largest international film market. Accreditation provides access to the Marché and eligibility to reserve Festival and Marché screenings in accordance with Festival accreditation policies and availability.
❋ What's IncludedArtist-led mentorship with Mark de Paola
Professional talent and complete shoot production
Portrait sessions throughout Cannes and Antibes
Local transportation during scheduled experience activities
One curated group meal each day
Marché du Film accreditation through dePAOLA Pictures and attendance during the experience
Apply Now
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive a decision within approximately seven days of submitting a complete application.
Please submit the following:
Statement of Intent (approximately 250–500 words) describing why you wish to participate in the experience, where you are in your artistic practice, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Artist Biography (short professional biography).
Portfolio (website, PDF, Dropbox link, or Instagram account showcasing your current work).
Accepted applicants will receive an enrollment agreement and tuition invoice. A preparation guide will be provided approximately one month prior to the experience, with the final detailed itinerary shared approximately one week before the experience begins.
How It Works-
Submit your application to info@depaolapictures.com
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Receive your acceptance email with your registration invoice. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of payment.
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Receive a welcome email from production with trip preparation tips and guidance about one month prior to the experience.
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Receive the detailed itinerary about 1 week prior to the experience from production.
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Experience the Cannes Film Festival and portraiture at the center of cinema.
The Fine Print
CANCELLATION POLICY
Wide Open Art experiences are intentionally limited in size to ensure meaningful creative exchange. Because each registration reserves a place within a small cohort and allows us to confirm artists, venues, and production commitments, participants are asked to review the following cancellation policy before registering.
Full tuition is due at the time of registration.
Participant Cancellations
More than 60 days before the experience: Full refund.
30–60 days before the experience: 50% refund.
Less than 30 days before the experience: No refund.
If a participant cancels and Wide Open Art is able to fill the space from the waitlist, Wide Open Art may, at its sole discretion, issue a credit toward a future Wide Open Art experience. Credits are valid only for experiences produced solely by Wide Open Art and may not be applied to partnership experiences.
Experience Cancellation
Should Wide Open Art cancel an experience due to force majeure, artist illness, insufficient enrollment, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our reasonable control, participants will receive a full refund of all fees paid to Wide Open Art. Wide Open Art is not responsible for airfare, accommodations, travel insurance, or any other expenses incurred outside of the experience fee. Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By registering for a Wide Open Art experience, participants acknowledge that they have read and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Registration & Payment
Registration is confirmed upon receipt of full payment unless otherwise stated. Enrollment is limited and spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participant Responsibility
Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically able to participate in the experience and for arriving with the appropriate equipment, documentation, and travel arrangements.
Participants are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism, respect, and consideration for fellow participants, artists, hosts, staff, and local communities. Wide Open Art reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct is disruptive, unsafe, or inappropriate. No refund will be issued in such cases.
Assumption of Risk
Participation may involve travel, walking, uneven terrain, changing weather conditions, and other activities inherent to cultural and photographic experiences. Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with their participation.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Wide Open Art, its artists, employees, contractors, partners, hosts, and venues shall not be liable for any injury, illness, accident, theft, loss, damage to personal property, travel delays, cancellations, or other expenses arising from participation in an experience.
Travel
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for all transportation, accommodations (unless expressly included), passports, visas, travel documentation, and travel insurance.
Experience Changes
Wide Open Art reserves the right to make reasonable changes to artists, schedules, locations, accommodations, or experience content when necessary to ensure the successful delivery of an experience.
Force Majeure
Wide Open Art shall not be responsible for delays, cancellations, or modifications resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather, governmental restrictions, strikes, pandemics, war, civil unrest, transportation disruptions, venue closures, or artist illness.
Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.