As the Musée Éphémère du Cinéma marks its 10th edition, Cannes unveils two parallel exhibitions — one spotlighting the visionary world of James Cameron, the other honouring decades of French cinematic style. Together, they offer a rich, contrasting homage to the artistry and allure that define the silver screen.
Each summer, the Musée Éphémère du Cinéma transforms the Palais des Festivals into a cinematic sanctuary. Theis year is no different, with the 2025 exhibition paying homage to one of Hollywood’s most visionary filmmakers with L’Art de James Cameron, open from July 10 to August 24.
This immersive showcase dives deep into Cameron’s multifaceted universe, bringing together more than 300 original pieces drawn from his expansive personal and professional archives. Visitors are invited to explore the creative mind behind Titanic, Avatar, The Terminator, and more through a curated journey of six thematic sections.
On display are rarely-seen sketches, conceptual paintings, annotated screenplays, intricate models, iconic costumes, and cutting-edge 3D animations. The exhibition not only traces the evolution of Cameron’s films but also highlights his unique process — blending science, art, and storytelling with a technical precision few can rival.
More than a celebration of cinematic spectacle, the exhibition delves into Cameron’s lifelong obsessions — with deep-sea exploration, space travel, artificial intelligence, and the fragility of the natural world. These themes are echoed in the layout, guiding visitors from the mechanical menace of The Terminator to the ecological allegory of Avatar, and from the romance and tragedy of Titanic to the pioneering underwater sequences of The Abyss.
This retrospective arrives at a time when Cameron’s influence feels more enduring than ever. In an era of franchise fatigue and AI-generated content, his films remain hand-forged epics — rooted in personal vision, technical mastery, and emotional stakes. For younger audiences raised on CGI, the models and matte paintings on display offer a tangible reminder of the analog roots of modern blockbusters.
Organised by the Cinémathèque Française in association with Avatar Alliance Foundation, the exhibition also offers fans and cinephiles a chance to engage with the craftsmanship behind the camera. Workshops will accompany the exhibit throughout the summer, creating a dynamic and educational experience.
As Cannes continues to position itself as more than a festival city — as a year-round hub for film culture — L’Art de James Cameron stands as both a tribute and a statement: that cinema, at its best, is still a bold act of imagination.
Running alongside L’Art de James Cameron, the exhibition FESTIVAL, L’ÉLÉGANCE FRANÇAISE shines a spotlight on the inimitable style and sophistication that have defined the Cannes Film Festival over the decades.
The exhibition showcases the photographic work of the Traverso family and presents around thirty photographs of celebrities from the world of cinema who have walked the famous red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival, from 1950 to the present day. It offers a visual journey through decades of refined French artistry — where cinema and fashion walk hand in hand.
This elegant showcase celebrates the fashion, photography, and cultural icons that helped cement France’s reputation as the global capital of cinematic glamour.
Together, L’Art de James Cameron and Festival, L’Élégance Française offer a striking dual portrait of cinema’s enduring power — one through the lens of groundbreaking imagination, the other through the elegance that surrounds it. While Cameron’s exhibition reveals the intricate machinery behind visionary storytelling, L’Élégance Française reminds us that cinema is also about allure, presence, and the spectacle beyond the screen.
As Cannes continues to honour both innovation and tradition, these parallel exhibitions reflect the soul of the seventh art — where technology and timeless glamour meet under the Riviera sun.
Free admission to the Festival, L’Élégance Française exhibition included with admission to L’Art de James Cameron exhibition. Tickets may be reserved online.
CONTACT DETAILS
Le Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
Hall Méditerranée
1 boulevard de la Croisette
06400 Cannes
All photographs, images and video © Mairie de Cannes
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