The Squad, in collaboration with Theta Network, has successfully held the MetaCannes Film3 Festival, which took place May 12 through May 25, 2024.
The Squad, in collaboration with Theta Network, has successfully held the MetaCannes Film3 Festival, which took place May 12 through May 25, 2024. The 2024 edition of the event provided a blockchain-based, video on-demand film festival experience with world premieres, empowerment-focused content and live streaming (a first for 2024).
Event Highlights:
- Community and Inclusion: MetaCannes continues to support underrepresented voices in the film industry, providing a platform for women and LGBTQIA+ communities to share their narratives and experiences. Sian Morson, founder of The BlkChain, curated one Short Film Block to celebrate the diversity of BIPOC voices in the festival lineup.
- Women-Focused Content: MetaCannes also hosted a curated feed sponsored by Herflix, a leading streaming platform for movies, about, for, and by women. Herflix also hosted the Better World Foundation gala as part of the main Cannes lineup, with attendance from celebrated actress Juliette Binoche, virtuoso pianist Lang Lang, singer-songwriter Joyce Jonathan, and several members of European royalty.
- Industry-Recognized Host: The Herflix gala was hosted by Swan Sit, dubbed the “Queen of Clubhouse” by Forbes. A top creator in marketing, Swan previously served as the Global Head of Digital Marketing at Nike, Estée Lauder, and Revlon.
- Awards: Last year, the Best of Fest Award went to the BAFTA and Oscar winner AN IRISH GOODBYE, this year, The Squad introduced the Next Wave of Cinema Awards, the Grand Jury Golden Wave Award went to FREE FALL and Special Jury Prize AI Cinema to FALLING FROM GRACE.
- AI Cinema: AI took the central stage as an essential element of Film3. This marked the second year MetaCannes curated AI Cinema, solidifying its commitment to innovation and inclusivity. This year, MetaCannes introduced MetaCannesNEXT, a new segment dedicated to AI Cinema, showcasing how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing filmmaking. This initiative follows the trends set by major festivals like Sundance and SXSW, focusing on new forms of storytelling and distribution technology.
- Exclusive Screenings: Attendees enjoyed award-winning short films such as The Last Ranger, and The Anne Frank Gift Shop, starring notable actors like Ari Graynor and Chris Perfetti. The lineup also premiered a new short by Goya Award-nominated filmmaker Rafa Arroyo and works by AI cinema innovators Nicolas Neubert, Dave Clark and an additional world premiere from Chikai Ohazama.
- Innovative Technology: Powered by Theta Network’s patented NFT-based digital rights management (DRM), MetaCannes offered a secure and transparent platform, allowing seamless access to film screenings and panel discussions. This technology ensures that filmmakers meet studio digital rights management requirements while offering an added layer of security.
- NFT Access: The festival kicked off with the release of two exclusive NFT passes on May 3, 2024. The MetaCannes Film3 Streaming Pass and the prestigious Streaming Gold Pass unlocked access to a curated selection of films and special content, enhancing the viewer’s experience with blockchain technology. Passholders also unlocked exclusive access to creators in a token-gated Discord channel.
Statements from the Organizers:
Jordan Bayne, founder of The Squad, remarked, “At MetaCannes, community is the utility, and Film3 is the product. We are proud to lead the charge in transforming the film industry, making it more inclusive and accessible through technology.”
Mitch Liu, CEO of Theta Labs, added, “Our collaboration with The Squad for MetaCannes 2024 exemplifies our commitment to leveraging blockchain and AI technology to empower filmmakers and audiences worldwide.”
Explore AITechPark for the latest advancements in AI, IOT, Cybersecurity, AITech News, and insightful updates from industry experts!
