Bonjour! Is your French a little rusty? Let The Independent Film Channel (IFC) bring the Riviera to your living room with Cannes on IFC, the LIVE broadcast of the 2003 Cannes International Film Festival's opening and closing ceremonies. First-time Cannes commentator Alison Bailes, IFC host, and Cannes Film Festival expert Annette Insdorf, providing English translation, begin the festivities with the red carpet arrivals and opening ceremony, which will exclusively air Wednesday, May 14 at 1:00PM/ET live on IFC. Film critic Roger Ebert and Annette Insdorf conclude the festival with the awards presentation and closing ceremony airing Sunday, May 25 at 1:00PM/ET. Trés bien!
Alison Bailes pulls double-duty co-hosting the opening ceremony and a special Cannes episode of the IFC Original series At the Angelika, which airs in June on IFC and includes a wrap-up of the festival as well as US releases. In addition, Bailes will host the IFC Cannes interstitials airing post-festival.
Ed Carroll, IFC Executive Vice President and General Manager, states, "As a full-service cable channel, film production and theatrical distribution company, Cannes on IFC represents IFC Companies continued commitment to the independent film industry. IFC's live broadcast and on-air festival have been a long-standing tradition for the network. We are thrilled to present another year of prestigious films and coverage of the world's most celebrated film festival."
Tune in every night in between ceremonies for the Cannes on IFC Film Festival, an 11-night celebration of past favorites, beginning at 9:00PM/ET on Wednesday, May 14 to Sunday, May 25. Launching the on-air event is the network television premiere of the critically acclaimed Requiem for a Dream.
The film roster for the Cannes on IFC Film Festival is as follows:
| Wednesday, May 14 at 1:00PM/ET | LIVE! Opening Ceremony |
| Wednesday, May 14 at 9:00PM/ET | Rebroadcast of the Opening Ceremony |
| Wednesday, May 14 at 10:00PM/ET | Requiem for a Dream |
| Thursday, May 15 at 12:15AM/ET | My Best Fiend |
| Friday, May 16 at 10:15PM/ET | The Hudsucker Proxy |
| Saturday, May 17 at 10:45PM/ET | Ridicule |
| Sunday, May 18 at 8:00PM/ET | Barton Fink |
| Monday, May 19 at 9:00PM/ET | Dance With a Stranger |
| Tuesday, May 20 at 9:30PM/ET | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me |
| Wednesday, May 21 at 9:00PM/ET | Sunday |
| Thursday, May 22 at 8:00PM/ET | Stranger Than Paradise |
| Friday, May 23 at 8:00PM/ET | girlfight |
| Saturday, May 24 at 8:00PM/ET | Last Night |
| Sunday, May 25 at 1:00PM/ET | LIVE! Closing Ceremony |
| Sunday, May 25 at 8:00PM/ET | Rebroadcast of the Closing Ceremony |
| Sunday, May 25 at 9:00PM/ET | Sid and Nancy |
* Art is available for the featured films in the Cannes on IFC Film Festival.
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free. IFC continues to expand its programming lineup with original series and independent genre-focused specials. The network's recent, critically acclaimed series and specials include Dinner For Five, BaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos and A Decade Under the Influence.
IFC Television is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.