Unique Challenge as Film and Formula One Go Head-to-Head on the French Riviera
May 17, 2010
Unique Challenge as Film and Formula One Go Head-to-Head on the French Riviera
The Monaco Grand Prix being brought forward by a week has created a number of uncharacteristic challenges for Dream Marine and other yacht charter companies in 2010.
“We are used to the Grand Prix in Monaco clashing with the Cannes Film Festival,” explains Dream Marine’s managing director, Chris Yates, “but normally it is over the last weekend of the film festival when the majority of the film community have already headed for home. This year, because of the World Cup in South Africa, Formula One has brought the race forward a week, and it now takes place during the middle and busiest weekend of the film festival. This has put a strain on boat availability for both the Grand Prix and film festival, as well as on mooring spaces at both locations, hotel rooms and even flights.
“Happily I can report that none of our clients have been left disappointed and we have sorted them all out with the type of craft they were looking for. The only outstanding matter for now is getting our hands on a few extra tickets for Cannes premiers. Russell Crowe in Robin Hood is a hot ticket, as is Oliver Stones’ Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Tickets to the Grand Prix have been less of a problem.”
The Cannes Film Festival takes place this year from 12-23 May, while the Monaco Grand Prix is scheduled for 16 May. Nice Airport is the gateway for both events and flights are at a premium during the period of the race and film festival.
For Dream Marine it is not just the challenge of getting its clients to the South of France, but also its own support teams.
A number of clients are planning to host special events and parties on the yachts, so we are having to organise flying in the artists and DJs to perform, as well as special sound and lighting rigs,” adds Yates. “Then there is the question of housing all the people who aren’t sleeping on the yachts.”
As mooring space in Monaco will be locked down in advance of the race, a number of Dream Marine clients have needed more than one yacht this year. Using one for Cannes, with another moored in Monaco for the race.
“Perhaps because a number of the boats that we would normally see in Cannes can’t sail from Monaco, it has been easier for us to secure prime mooring slots in Cannes this year. But that is about the only thing to make our lives easier so far. Our team look forward to the challenge. It promises to be a special year, and Monaco and Cannes is always a great way to kick of the European summer season.”
Dream Marine is already taking bookings for the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix period in 2011.
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