As an official associate of the Cannes Movie Pageant, TikTok introduced greater than 20 creators to the town, and THR caught up with two to speak content material plans and favourite celebrities.
Influencers Anna Sitar and Sara Echeagaray adopted one another on TikTok, however hadn’t met in particular person till arriving in Cannes just some days in the past. They will thank TikTok for the competition rendezvous as the worldwide phenomenon invited greater than 20 prime creators to attend the Cannes Movie Pageant as a part of an official (and inaugural) partnership.
“We needed to present TikTok customers a spread of views on what’s taking place in Cannes, so we determined to deliver folks from completely different nations in order that there could be some language protection and creators with barely completely different types and views,” says Wealthy Waterworth, TikTok basic supervisor for the U.Okay. and EU. “Now we have creators like Anna who've a background in movie, different creators who specialise in interviews and others to allow you to expertise the competition in their very own distinctive approach.”
That’s precisely what Sitar and Echeagaray did this week throughout their respective Cannes appearances. The Hollywood Reporter caught up with each creators to speak about their huge platforms — Sitar, who simply graduated with a masters diploma in movie manufacturing, has 11.8 million followers whereas Echeagaray counts 7.2 million, their respective content material methods and what celebrities they most needed to fulfill.
Together with your huge platform, I’m certain you get a number of affords and invitations. Why did you say sure to Cannes?
Sitar: I've recognized of Cannes for the longest time after seeing tales about it that includes all the largest creatives and celebrities coming right here. Particularly coming from a movie background with my grasp’s diploma, the second I noticed that TikTok had grow to be a associate, I stated, “If something occurs, I wish to be there.” That is such an unimaginable alternative, and to get to expertise it firsthand is as soon as in a lifetime. To even be staying on the identical flooring as a number of the unimaginable creators and builders which might be here's a dream come true.
With a level in movie manufacturing, what do you wish to do?
Sitar: Directing and writing. These are my two favorites. My focus [in school] was directing, however I’ve taken a number of writing programs as a result of I loved the creation facet of it. TikTok provides such unimaginable entry, as a result of I get to play each position, whether or not it’s cinematographer, director, actor, author.
Earlier than arriving, what do you know about Cannes or the competition?
Echeagaray: Ever since I used to be little, I’ve all the time needed to be within the appearing business, so I knew slightly about Cannes and that the competition premieres completely different movies each night time for per week and on the finish of all of it they vote for one of the best movie I imagine. I additionally knew that the style was simply as impeccable because the movies they screened.
What's your schedule like right here?
Echeagaray: Very tight. In hindsight, there's a lot that goes into getting ready for the competition that nobody sees behind closed doorways. It has made this expertise a lot extra actual to me, and I admire it much more.
What content material have you ever created and can you create right here?
Echeagaray: I used to be taking my followers behind the scenes of the competition and taking them via my viewpoint! It additionally simply evokes me to maintain doing appearing content material on the TikTok platform, as a result of with out them, I wouldn’t have been right here.
Sitar: My aim every day, usually, is about one to 3 movies. However since I got here right here on my own, I’m fortunate in that I don’t have many distractions. So, I’m round 4 to 6 movies a day proper now. I did have an opportunity to take a seat down and unwind this morning whereas I used to be consuming breakfast, and I opened up slightly emotionally about how excited and nervous I used to be to be right here. It nonetheless feels surreal. I simply really feel so regular, and TikTok got here from out of nowhere for me in the identical approach it has for therefore many creators. It’s wild to assume that I’m so blessed that I get to have the chance to be sitting right here and even assembly you right now.
Have you ever ever been to a movie competition?
Echeagaray: No, that is my first one, and what an excellent first movie competition to have attended.
Sitar: As soon as, for college truly, humorous sufficient. It was an task to go to a movie competition, so I went to the Santa Barbara Worldwide Movie Pageant. I went with a bunch of girlfriends to a film, and that was earlier than I used to be actually on TikTok. It was slightly little bit of an escape for a day.
What's your favourite movie?
Sitar: I’m such a style particular person. I really like something about love. It’s so tacky, however I really like any good love story, particularly heartbreak movies like The Pocket book or The Mild Between Oceans. It’s a ravishing story about love, longing and loss.
Echeagaray: I merely can't reply that. I've too many! My favorites encompass the Marvel franchise, after all, StarWars franchise and the HarryPotter franchise. There’s much more, however these are the highest.
While you journey, how typically do you get acknowledged by TikTok followers? Favourite interplay?
Echeagaray: I’m truly very stunned after I journey internationally, and folks acknowledge me. It makes me really feel joyful and heat to see that my content material has reached an enormous viewers across the globe. Nothing will prime my very first interplay at a Goal in Las Vegas, the place I used to stay. I used to be carrying sweatpants, a dishevelled t-shirt, and no make-up, however the truth that this was the beginning of many interactions all the time places a smile to my face.
Sitar: Yeah. It’s so stunning to me, each time. It seems like I’m operating right into a good friend each time anyone stops me. Even coming right here, throughout a layover in Paris, I met the 2 sweetest women. They have been coming to the movie competition, too. They have been college students from Georgia and simply excited to expertise it the identical as me. We bought to go to for slightly bit and discuss faculty and their plans. I’ve had a number of unimaginable experiences. I even met anyone at dinner final night time.
Of all of the film stars right here in Cannes this 12 months, who do you most wish to meet?
Echeagaray: I heard Julianne Moore is [here] and I’m undecided who else. I grew up watching her and to have the ability to see her in particular person is an absolute dream.
Anna, in the event you may fantasy solid a film that you simply directed, who would you prefer to work with?
Sitar: Jennifer Anderson is unbelievable. She’s such an icon and such a traditional. I’m a ‘90s child, and there’s one thing about her fashion and vitality that I simply love. I’ve additionally all the time liked Zendaya. She’s so gifted. I bought to fulfill her as soon as. My mother stated hi there to her within the airport, and I used to be like, “Mother, don’t say something. We are able to’t be these individuals who cease anyone within the airport.” However she couldn’t assist it, and The Best Showman had simply come out. My mother stated, “I simply watched your film, and I’m so happy with you.” I'd solid her immediately if I may do my very own movie.
What about fellow TikTok creators?
Sitar: The creators who're right here proper now are superb. I knew Sara earlier than. We’ve been mutuals on TikTok for some time now. Assembly her was like seeing a good friend, and that’s such a ravishing factor. I noticed her, and I used to be like, “Oh my gosh, you’re right here. I’m so glad.” It’s nice as a result of you might have a way of consolation.
Echeagaray: I lastly bought to fulfill Anna Sitar, and we’ve been following one another for some time now. I’m so joyful that I bought to fulfill her, she’s a ray of sunshine.