CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 10:  Léa Seydoux attends the screening of "Cold War (Zimna Wojna)" during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 10, 2018 in Cannes, France.  (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
Cover CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 10: Léa Seydoux attends the screening of "Cold War (Zimna Wojna)" during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 10, 2018 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

The 2021 Cannes Film Festival is upon us, but here are some things you must know about the celebration as you fawn over highly acclaimed movies and celebrities

Cannes is one of the most prestigious film festivals in all of Europe. The event, which has been running since 1946, is home to many talented filmmakers and their craft. 

This year, Cannes is set to return for its 74th edition from 6 to 17 July. Because of the harrowing threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, the awarding body will acknowledge the nominees and winners online.

Before you gush over your favourite stars and films, we have listed some of the things you may want to learn about the festival. 

Related: 9 Palme D'Or-Winning Movies to Watch Before Cannes 2021

1. The Red Carpet Is Changed Three Times A Day

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CANNES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 29: Workers install a black carpet  at Palais des Festivals on October 29, 2020 in Cannes, France. Cannes Film Festival pays a tribute to Nice attack victims. A man armed with a knife fatally attacked people in the Notre-Dame church in Nice, located in the heart of the city on the morning of October 29th.
Above CANNES, FRANCE - OCTOBER 29: Workers install a black carpet at Palais des Festivals on October 29, 2020 in Cannes, France. Cannes Film Festival pays a tribute to Nice attack victims. A man armed with a knife fatally attacked people in the Notre-Dame church in Nice, located in the heart of the city on the morning of October 29th.

It is not enough for the Cannes film festival to have just one carpet for the whole celebration. Apparently, the organisers change the two-kilometres long carpet of the festival three times every day (or approximately, 40 times during the course of the event). 

This act has actually angered green campaigners around the globe. In 2013, the Greenpride association filed a petition to stop the overuse of the red carpet at the Cannes Festival. "For years the Cannes has been using up kilometres of barely-used carpet; last year one of the organisers was asked why they change it even though it’s not damaged at all, and he said ‘I don’t know.'" 

Related: Cannes Film Festival 2021: The Best Dressed Celebrities on the Red Carpet

2. The Festival's Budget Goes Up To 30 Million Euros

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Photo:  Robert Anasch on Unsplash
Above Photo: Robert Anasch on Unsplash

The budget allotted for the Cannes film festival is reportedly in the €30-million ($33 million) range. It is funded by French taxpayers and many corporate sponsors around Europe. 

Related: Bella Hadid Dazzles in Chopard’s Red Carpet High Jewellery at Cannes Film Festival 2021

3. The First Festival Was Delayed For Seven Years

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Photo: Festival de Cannes
Above Photo: Festival de Cannes

The world's first international film festival was in 1932. Held in Venice, the event was reportedly used to promote Nazi propaganda with films being censored left and right. France did not take this lightly and established a festival of its own—Festival international du film. The first Cannes festival would have been held from 1 to 20 September 1939, but it was called off because of the second World War. On the morning of 1 September, the French government immediately ordered a general mobilisation after Hitler invaded Poland. The war lasted six long years.

In 1946, the government approved the revival of the festival to lure more tourists back to the French Riviera. The festival relaunched on 20 September 1946 representing 18 nations around the globe.

Fact: The Festival international du film was not called Cannes Film Fest until 2003.

4. Delbert Mann's 'Marty' Was The First Winner Of Palme d'Or

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A scene from Delbert Mann's 'Marty'
Above A scene from Delbert Mann's 'Marty'

Palme d'Or (golden palm), the highest prize at the Cannes, was first awarded to Delbert Mann for his film Marty. The story follows Marty Piletti (Ernest Borgnine), an Italian-American butcher who resigns himself to bachelorhood. He meets science teacher Clara (Betsy Blair) who his mother and peers do not like.

Instead of giving Clara up, Marty defies his loved ones in order to be with the one he truly loves. When his friends ask what he's doing, Marty replies: "You don't like her, my mother doesn't like her, she's a dog and I'm a fat, ugly man! Well, all I know is I had a good time last night! I'm gonna have a good time tonight! If we have enough good times together, I'm gonna get down on my knees and I'm gonna beg that girl to marry me! If we make a party on New Year's, I got a date for that party. You don't like her? That's too bad!"—an iconic rant that would go down in film history.

5. The First Cannes Poster Was Designed By French Painter Toulouse-Lautrec's Cousin

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The first Cannes Film Festival poster
Above The first Cannes Film Festival poster

The first Cannes Festival poster was designed by French painter Toulouse-Lautrec’s cousin, Jean-Gabriel Domergue. The artist initially designed it for the first festival in 1939.

Domergue is known around France as an artist specialising in portraits of Parisian women. He is also often described as “the inventor of the pin-up” for his slender-necked and wide-eyed female portraits.

6. Before Palme d'Or, The Highest Cannes Festival Prize Was Grand Prix du Festival International du Film

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CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 25: Director Bong Joon-Ho, winner of the Palme d'Or award for his film "Parasite" poses at the winner photocall during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2019 in Cannes, France.  (Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Above CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 25: Director Bong Joon-Ho, winner of the Palme d'Or award for his film "Parasite" poses at the winner photocall during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Before Palme d'Or was presented in 1955, the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film was the award that all nominees were eyeing on. The award would typically vary in design every year depending on the contemporary artist and jewellers who submit their designs for a palm. 

7. There Are Always Two Palme d'Or Trophies

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CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 15: The 72nd edition of the Palme d'Or trophy is pictured during the Cannes Film Festival at the Chopard Jewellery House Suite during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images )
Above Photo: Indie Wire

Every year, the organisers prepare at least two different Palme d'Or trophies in the event of an accident or two winners being announced. Each Golden Palm branch is made of 18-carat fold which costs €20,000 ($23,000).

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