What is it like to be a jury member at Cannes Lions? Belén Garau tells us about her experience.

By July 28, 2023 News No Comments

1. How did you become interested in the world of filmmaking?
I became interested in production when I had to choose a career and I was lucky enough to have the support of my parents, so when I was 17 I left Mallorca with a suitcase and went to study in Los Angeles.

2. What attracts you most to the world of film and advertising?
The magic of turning a mere idea into something tangible. The lack of monotony of the work.

3.How did the idea of creating “The Local Production Company” come about?

I found a partner with the same desire as me to have my own project and build a company from scratch.

4.If you had to choose three projects out of all the ones you have done with “The Local Production Company”, which ones would you choose / which ones do you consider to be the best?
The truth is that I never highlight the ads because of the product achieved, which is also very important, obviously, but because of the people I have had the opportunity to meet and the satisfaction that the clients have left happy.

5. What are the three key points for creating good advertising film productions?
To be trusted by your client, to surround yourself with a good team and to be agile enough to handle complicated situations.

6. Talking about the Cannes Film Festival, what was your first thought when you were offered to be part of the Cannes Lions jury?
The truth is that it gave me a rush, all these years watching the festival from the outside and having the opportunity to experience it from the inside really made me want to do it.

 

Belén Garau

7. How would you describe the experience?
It was interesting. I was part of the shortlist jury so together with my fellow jurors we made the first sieve which was the one that went to the awarding jury at the same festival.

8. Would you do it again?
Yes, I would!

9.Why do you think you were one of the people chosen to form part of this jury?

I imagine it was to make up a diverse jury made up of people from different backgrounds. I was delighted that they had someone like me, who comes from the world of service, because one always has the feeling that creatives and agencies see us as being very far away from them, when we are such an important part of the machinery.

10.What do you think is essential to be part of such an important jury?
Objectivity, being able to step out of your comfort zone and see the spots with a very open mind and knowing how to judge what you have been asked to evaluate (in my case the film craft), separating it from the rest.

11.Given the magnitude of the festival, there are a lot of people in attendance.
The truth is that I was very comfortable, the festival organisers make sure that even if you travel alone you have opportunities to network and socialise with other attendees and the programme of talks and events never runs out, so I had a great time and I attended very interesting talks and round tables.

12,Finally, how do you see yourself going forward, will you continue in this world or do you want to branch out and explore something else?
If this second round of the Roaring Twenties is teaching us anything, it’s that you have to be ready to reinvent yourself at any time, so doors are open to everything hehe.

Interview by Sara Crespo.


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