• Program Intro
• Calendar
• About Cannes
• Course Information
• Housing
• Costs
• Travel Notes
• Application

Program Introduction

Penn-in-Cannes is designed for students interested in the film industry and international cinema. Using the Cannes Film Festival as its focal point, the program examines the ways in which international film functions in the context of celebrity, marketing, and festivals.

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Program Calendar:

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About Cannes

Cannes, located on the Mediterranean in southeastern France, is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. Situated on a large bay along the “glamour coast”, the city has long been a center of fashion, film and luxury. For two weeks each May this seaside resort community with a population of 70,000 is the center of the entertainment world. The Film Festival attracts directors, producers and celebrities alike vying for the highly coveted Palme d'Or (Golden Palm.)  

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Course Information

Students register for a total of 1 course unit (CU). Course registration is completed by the Penn Summer Abroad office for students who confirm their intent to enroll.

Course:

CINE039/ENGL039: Perspective on Film: Survey of International Cinema

In preparation for fieldwork at the Cannes Film Festival, introductory lectures will be held in mid-March and mid-April 2009 on Penn’s campus to enable students to establish a critical vocabulary for film study. The lectures and subsequent discussions will examine: a) The Business and Art of the Film Festival; b) Contemporary International Cinema; c) History of the Cannes Film Festival. The introductory lectures will coincide with the Philadelphia Film Festival, which is held March 26 – April 7, 2009. Attendance is required for 6 screenings at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

During both the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, students attend screenings of current international films, applying the critical tools and knowledge of the film industry gained from their earlier work. Students research and critique both the artistic aspects and the commercial prospects of the films screened. They will be expected to view a certain number of international films, submit a “pre-departure” paper, keep a journal, attend regular meetings, and submit a final research essay. A pre-departure packet of readings will be sent to students upon admissions notification. (1 CU)

Also visit the Cannes Film Festival website.

Faculty

This program is directed by Nicola M. Gentili, Associate Director of Cinema Studies, University of Pennsylvania. Email: ngentili@sas.upenn.edu

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Housing

Students stay at the College International de Cannes in dormitory-style housing. Classes also meet at the College, which is centrally located. Continental breakfast included.

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Costs

Note: All tuition charges and fees are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees and may change without notice.

Tuition: $2,933 (2009 Rate)

$2,933 per course unit (CU). Students are required to enroll for one CU.

Program Fee: $1,200 (2008 rate. Rates for 2009 will be posted by December 1, 2008.)

Includes accommodation with breakfast and passes to the Cannes Film Festival. 

The tuition and program fee are billed to the student’s Penn account according to the Summer Sessions billing schedule.

Other Expenses: Students are responsible for other direct expenses including:  

• roundtrip air ticket to Nice, France
• local transportation (roundtrip between Nice and Cannes and also in Cannes)
• meals
• personal expenses and entertainment

William A. Levi Travel Fellowship

Financial Aid
Penn Summer Abroad programs may be supported by financial aid. Penn Students seeking financial aid for a program abroad should contact Student Financial Services (www.sfs.upenn.edu) and complete the undergraduate student financial application for the summer term. Non-Penn students apply for financial aid from their home institution.

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Travel Notes

Passport: Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end date of the program. If you do not already have a passport or need to renew it, you should begin the process immediately. Passport application forms and instructions can be obtained at the U.S. Post Office or at http://travel.state.gov/.

Visa: France does not require an entry visa for U.S. Citizens for visits of up to 90 days. Citizens from other countries should confirm with the French Embassy whether or not a visa is required. If so, you will need to apply several months in advance. 

Air Tickets: Penn Summer Abroad does not organize travel overseas. Start researching flights early. There are many possibilities and a large variation in prices. You will receive the list of all students in your program. Contact the ones who are likely to travel from the same airport. You may be able to travel together.

Immunizations: Make sure you receive all appropriate inoculations. Consult with your physician and/or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, which provides information on vaccines and immunizations for travel abroad. http://www.cdc.gov/.

Additional information will be provided in the acceptance packet and in pre-departure orientations that will take place in the spring.

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To Apply

Applications for Penn-in-Cannes are open! Apply now for the early admissions deadline of January 20, 2009.

• Click here to apply to program.

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