Rolling out the red carpet for California at Cannes

California took center stage at the world’s most prestigious film festival with the debut of California Day at the American Pavilion during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Hosted by Visit California in partnership with the California Film Commission and destination partners across the state, the activation delivered a clear message to global content creators and storytellers: California is open for business.

The event marked brought together representatives from Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and West Hollywood, alongside the California Film Commission. Delegates connected directly with global producers, distributors and top-tier entertainment media to promote California’s unrivaled production incentives, diverse filming locations and world-class creative infrastructure.

A marquee panel on filming in California spotlighted the state’s robust support for entertainment production and highlighted how California continues to lead the industry in both innovation and opportunity.

California’s presence at Cannes drew strong international media interest. Colleen Bell, Executive Director of the California Film Commission, conducted interviews with The Hollywood Reporter, BBC Culture and News.com.au. Additional interviews and meetings connected delegates with Radio France, Bloomberg News France and BBC World Service. To further elevate the state’s presence, Visit California secured high-profile digital advertising in Deadline Hollywood.

The success of California Day at Cannes reinforced the value of global in-person activations in advancing California’s standing as a creative and cultural capital. The pilot program sets the stage for future international efforts to position the Golden State as a premier destination for filming, travel, and cross-cultural exchange.