Clarity at Cannes: Start with your why

Elizabeth Blake-Thomas
7 hours ago
4 min read

By Elizabeth Blake-Thomas, Mother Daughter Entertainment

Let me start with a few simple questions. Who are you? Who do you want to be? What are your goals in life? And what does success actually look like for you?

These questions might sound big, but they are incredibly important. In order to make the most out of any opportunity, you need to understand the reason behind it. You need to understand your why.

One way I like to think about this is through the idea of reverse engineering. Imagine going on a treasure hunt, but instead of starting with the map, you begin with the treasure itself. You already know what the destination is, and from there you work backwards to figure out the most effective path to reach it.

The same principle applies to life and to the film industry.

Before you start planning your experience at Cannes, it is important to recognize that the treasure, or the why, can change over time. What you believed you were searching for one year might evolve the next year because of new experiences, opportunities, or shifts in perspective.

Sometimes we realize that what we thought we wanted was not actually the thing that will make us feel fulfilled.

That is perfectly normal. Growth often means reassessing our goals.

My biggest piece of advice to people before they even begin thinking about the practical aspects of Cannes is to first work out what they want to achieve. Even more importantly, they should ask themselves how they want to feel before, during, and after the festival.

This idea is not just about Cannes. It is a practice that can be used in everyday life. Work and life do not have to exist separately or compete with one another. They can support each other and work together.

Before diving into the emotional and personal side of things, there are of course practical steps that need to be handled. Buying flights, booking accommodation, and arranging accreditation are all essential. It is important to take care of those logistical details so they are not weighing on your mind later.

Once those tasks are completed, take a moment to imagine yourself in Cannes.

Picture the Croisette filled with people. Imagine the sea air and the energy of the festival all around you. Think about the conversations you might have and the experiences you may encounter. Now ask yourself a simple question.

How do you want to feel at the end of each day?

You can begin practicing this idea even before arriving in Cannes. Try asking yourself the same question about your day today.

If you want to feel peaceful at the end of the day, that might mean choosing not to fill your time with endless emails, phone calls, or tasks. If you want to feel motivated, it might mean reaching out to new people, submitting yourself or your work for opportunities, or taking action on ideas you have been holding back. If you want to feel productive, you might focus on completing tasks that you have been postponing.

Once you identify the feeling you are aiming for, your decisions become much clearer.

This concept translates directly to Cannes.

If it is your first time attending the festival, perhaps your goal is simply to experience it.

Maybe you want to end each day feeling like you tried something new or stepped outside your comfort zone. For others, the focus may be on building connections and meeting new people. That might involve attending networking events, joining group discussions, or simply starting conversations with strangers.

When you understand how you want to feel, it becomes easier to decide which opportunities align with your purpose.

Your why may be practical, emotional, or a combination of both.

Practical motivations could include securing funding for a project, finding collaborators,

producing a film, working internationally, or building your professional reputation.

Emotional motivations might include achieving financial freedom, expressing creativity, sharing meaningful stories, mentoring others, or leaving a lasting legacy.

There are no right or wrong answers. What matters is honesty with yourself.

Once you understand your why, every decision can be measured against it.

When an opportunity appears, you can ask a simple question. Does this align with my purpose?

If the answer is yes, pursue it. If the answer is no, it may be better to let it go and focus your energy elsewhere.

I once used this exact method to decide whether I should attend Cannes in a particular year.

After reflecting on my why at the time, the answer was actually no. That year I chose not to attend and instead invested my time and resources into projects that aligned more closely with my goals.

Understanding your why provides clarity. It helps you decide where to invest your time, your energy, and your attention.

And when you arrive in Cannes with that clarity, the experience

becomes much more meaningful.

ABOUT ELIZABETH BLAKE- THOMAS

Director, Filmmaker, Author, TEDx Speaker, and Creativity Coach, Elizabeth Blake-Thomas’ experience in a variety of fields gives her the knowledge with which to help other people live more purposeful lives.

She is the Founder of production company Mother & Daughter Entertainment. Her directing credits include romcom Just Swipe, action/thriller Hunt Club, YA supernatural thriller Karma: Death at Latigo Springs, and more. Her third book “Living with Intention” was released 2024 and is available on Amazon, as are her previous books “Arabella” and “Filmmaking without Fear”.

Her children’s books are available on Etsy under the store name “Medicine with Words”. Under the same banner, her creativity coaching methodology “Medicine with Words” has been around for a few decades, where she not only helps to guide people towards their purpose, but she also mentors budding directors

and filmmakers.