Given that (a) the Cannes Film Festival always takes place in mid-May, (b) Primetime Emmy nominations voting always begins in mid-June, and (c) Cannes draws a large cross-section of the entertainment industry and press, it has always made sense for Emmy hopefuls to show up on the Croisette. But arguably, never have more made the pilgrimage than this year.
They have come — or will be coming — for a wide variety of reasons.
Robert De Niro, a best actor in a limited or anthology series or a TV movie contender for Netflix’s Zero Day, who usually does everything he can to avoid the spotlight, jetted in to collect an honorary Palme d’Or on opening night, May 13, and the following day participated in a rendez-vous about his career.
Also at the opening night ceremony, as a spectator, was Marco Calvani, a best supporting actor in a comedy series contender for his breakout turn on Netflix’s The Four Seasons, who attended with Sundance Film Festival director Eugene Hernandez. He’s primarily in town to support his husband, Margo Pigossi, who stars in Dangerous Animals, which will premiere on May 17 as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section, and to negotiate pre-sales on a film he co-wrote, Capitana.
“Mr. Milchick” from Apple TV+’s Severance, best supporting actor in a drama series contender Tramell Tillman, was in Cannes — albeit for less than 24 hours — as part of the ensemble of out-of-competition title Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, which premiered on May 14.
On May 16, Oscar winner Natalie Portman, a best actress in a limited or anthology series or a TV movie contender for Apple TV+’s Lady in the Lake, is expected to attend the premiere of Arco, a Flow-like animated feature for which she has voiced a character and signed on as a producer.
That same night, U2’s Bono will be in attendance for a special screening of Apple TV+’s Bono: Stories of Surrender, Andrew Dominik’s reimagining of Bono’s acclaimed one-man stage show, which is eligible for best variety special (pre-recorded).
French royalty Charlotte Gainsbourg, daughter of singer Serge Gainsbourg and actress Jane Birkin, and herself a best actress in a comedy series contender for Amazon’s Étoile, is coming in from Paris on May to collect a special honor pegged to her work on that show.
Also that night, Oscar winner Sissy Spacek, a best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or a TV movie contender for FX’s Dying for Sex, will be on the ground for the premiere of competition/sales title Die, My Love, in which she plays Jennifer Lawrence’s mother.
The following evening, Gael García Bernal, a best actor in a limited or anthology series or a TV movie for Hulu’s La Máquina, will attend the premiere of Magellan, in which he plays the titular Portuguese explorer, and which is screening in the Cannes Premieres section.
And two nights before the fest officially closes, on May 22, Taraji P. Henson, a best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or a TV movie contender for Peacock’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, will be on hand to host amfAR’s Cannes Gala fundraiser at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc.
Will any of this move the needle with the more than 20,000 members of the TV Academy? There is, of course, no way to say for sure. But if a trip to Cannes could help, it’s hard to imagine why one wouldn’t take it.
