Sports

At the Cannes Film Festival, These Screenings Are on the Beach

Published

8 months ago

May 13, 2025

On a warm afternoon in late April, La Croisette hummed with life. Families pushed strollers along the boardwalk, children trailed behind with dripping ice cream cones, and tourists posed for selfies silhouetted against the Mediterranean. At Plage Macé, a centrally-located public beach, people tanned, played volleyball and went for a dip.

For the next two weeks, Plage Macé has been transformed into an outdoor theater, outfitted with a massive movie screen — nearly 80 feet by 20 feet — and an elaborate sound system, with 600 deck chairs available on a first-come-first-served basis.

This is Cinéma de la Plage, the Cannes Film Festival’s free program of nightly film screenings. At a film festival notorious for its exclusivity, this is one event where everyone is welcome, no matter who they are — or how they are dressed.

“Cinéma de la Plage is evidence that the Cannes Film Festival never forgets it has to remain a cultural and popular event,” Thierry Frémaux, the festival’s artistic director, explained in an email.

Camilla Amelotti works at a children’s attraction, Les P’tits Bateaux (The Li’l Boats), directly in front of Plage Macé. In between selling souvenir magnets and handing out remote controls for miniature yachts, she described Cinéma de la Plage as an accessible alternative to the festival’s indoor screenings, especially for film-loving locals.

“It’s really nice,” said Amelotti, 28. “You just have to have time to go and the patience to wait to get in.” She added that for many people who work in the tourism industry, the film festival is the busiest time of year.

Ilona el-Hasnaoui, 26, has a front-row seat to Cinéma de la Plage from behind the counter of Kiosque 9 Bis, a gleaming white food stand with a turquoise awning situated directly in front of Plage Macé. Hasnaoui is the store’s manager and often stays until closing time — 1 a.m. during the festival — so she steals glances at the screen while serving sandwiches and crepes.

She said that business picked up during the nightly screenings. “People can see the movie from here,” she said, indicating the space directly in front of her kiosk. “They get their food here and they sit behind the railing,” she said, noting that no food or beverages were allowed on the beach during the films and that deck chairs were a precious commodity. “There are many, many people. If you want a seat, you need to wait.”

Cinéma de la Plage is officially part of Cannes Classics, the festival section devoted to film history that was started in the early 2000s. Frémaux, who has worked at Cannes since 1999 and became festival director in 2007, said his desire to inaugurate a free, outdoor program stemmed from personal experience.

“When I was just a festivalgoer, I wasn’t always able to get into the movie theaters and I thought it would be a good idea if the festival offered something completely different to the public, especially in the evenings,” he said. “When I took over, I suggested we hold a daily event on the beach.”

Given the festival’s unique location on the French Riviera, it may seem hard to believe that movies on the beach were never a major part of the event during its first 50 years. (Frémaux pointed to some earlier one-off events, including an apocryphal midnight screening of Hans-Jürgen Syberberg’s “Parsifal,” a four-hour-and-fifteen-minute film version of Richard Wagner’s opera, which ended with breakfast on the beach at dawn.)

While classics, often presented in fresh restorations, dominated the early Cinéma de la Plage programs, these days the lineup also includes cult and contemporary offerings, as well as sneak previews of films about to hit French cinemas and even the occasional world premiere.

Because this is Cannes and a high percentage of the world’s major filmmakers congregate here during festival time, it’s not uncommon for directors to pop over to present their films if they’re programmed in Cinéma de la Plage.

Frémaux reminisced about Quentin Tarantino showing up with Uma Thurman to introduce a 35-millimeter print of “Pulp Fiction” in 2014, and Jackie Chan arriving by boat for a screening of his 1982 kung fu classic “Project A” for its 40th anniversary in 2012.

“And there was Agnès Varda, who in the rain convinced the audience to stay by talking to them for several minutes before the film,” he said of the French director’s “One Sings, the Other Doesn’t,” which was screened during the memorably wet 2018 edition of the festival. Beyond films, Cinéma de la Plage has also hosted concerts, dance parties and even karaoke.

This year’s lineup features films by John Woo, Nanni Moretti and Terrence Malick; a new restoration of King Vidor’s 1946 western “Duel in the Sun” undertaken by Martin Scorsese; and a new documentary about Brigitte Bardot.

“Cinéma de la Plage is a brilliant idea, brilliantly executed,” said Peter Bradshaw, the chief film critic for The Guardian, who has attended the Cannes Film Festival since 1999.

“And I think it’s a very good thing for Cannes to do,” he added, “because Cannes is sometimes criticized for being too closed off and elitist.”

And while there is undeniable excitement whenever a world premiere takes place at Plage Macé (as with “F9,” the ninth film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, in 2021) Cinéma de la Plage provides especially inspiring conditions for seeing a classic foreign or art house film.

“On occasion you can get to see ‘8½’ at some repertory movie theater, but it’s a rare thing to see it on the biggest possible screen,” Bradshaw said, referring to the 1963 Federico Fellini film, which screened here on the beach in 2014. (He fondly recalled seeing “Jaws” — the ultimate beach movie — on Plage Macé in 2013).

While accredited journalists and film industry members — including those who find themselves locked out of other festival screenings — turn up at Cinéma de la Plage, the program is particularly valuable for locals who have comparatively few opportunities to see other films at the festival. (No tickets are sold to any of the festival screenings, which require hard-to-come-by invitations for the public. A limited number of these are made available to Cannes residents).

“It’s a chance for the festival to reach out to the town, to reach out to the Côte d’Azur generally,” Bradshaw said.

Beyond all that, however, Cinéma de la Plage also provides a striking visual. The image of its majestic screen, silhouetted against the sea and sky, has become an indelible part of the festival’s image.

“It looks so great as a spectacle in itself, on the beach, especially as night falls,” Bradshaw said. “Even if you’re not going to a movie there and just walking up and down the Croisette, which is a signature experience of being at Cannes.”

Plage Macé is only three hundred yards from the red carpet. And yet, with the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea, you might as well be light-years away from the glamour, adrenaline and stress that are otherwise inescapable at the event. Leaning back in your deck chair, this can feel like the best seat at the festival — in the sand, under the stars.

“Of course, Cannes is the biggest festival in the world, of course there’s a market, there’s media pressure, the competition, the awards,” Frémaux said.

“But for everyone,” he added, “going to the beach is a way of not forgetting that, in essence, cinema is all about a silver screen, a crowd and a film.”

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Sports

Blazers Back in Action at Birmingham Crossplex This Weekend

Published

5 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

BIRMINGHAM – UAB Track & Field returns to the Birmingham Crossplex on Friday and Saturday for its first meets of 2026. On Friday, events will kick off at 1 p.m. while Saturday events begin at 9 a.m.

THE FIELD

Among the teams participating with the Blazers this weekend will be Auburn, Chattanooga, Georgia State, Southern Miss, Troy, and UT Martin.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR

Last year’s Blazer Invite was canceled due to winter weather events.

THE LAST TIME OUT

The Blazers’ last meet came on December 5 at the Birmingham Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex. Leticia Quingostas started her senior season strong in the 300m. The senior from Brazil placed ninth overall out of 28 athletes and won heat 4 with a time of 40.51 seconds. The freshmen middle distance duo consisting of Kelly Hughes and Katelyn Valtos made their college debuts in the 1000m. Hughes (3:05.08) and Valtos (3:06.08) finished sixth and seventh overall respectively. Valtos’ time was tops in heat 2. The Green and Gold rounded out the day with true freshman Sarah Hopkins competing in the Weight Throw. Hopkins finished her day with a mark of 14.58m on her final successful throw, which ranks third-best in school history for Indoor Weight Throw.

MEET INFORMATION

Fans can access live results, meet information, and the entire meet schedules on uabsports.com/sports/womens-track-and-field.

ENTRY TO THE CROSSPLEX

Only credit cards will be accepted on the campus of the Birmingham Crossplex.

FOLLOW THE BLAZERS

To keep up with UAB Track & Field, follow @UAB_TF_XC on Instagram and X.

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Glover, Catamount Volleyball Add Pair of Transfers for 2026

Published

7 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina head volleyball coach Karen Glover finalized her 2026 roster with a pair of transfers, adding middle blocker Brookelyn Nance (Gardner-Webb) and Sophia Marini (Daytona State), as both are set to join WCU for the spring semester in advance of the 2026 season. Nance will have three years of eligibility with the Catamounts, as Marini has two years with WCU.

Marini and Nance join a quartet of student-athletes who will join the program in the fall of 2026 in setter Leilani Ramos (Jupiter, Fla.), outside hitter Taylor Baggett (Fayetteville, N.C.), middle blocker Aiyana Harris (Mansfield, Texas), and outside hitter Ashlyn Cobb (Delray Beach, Fla.), who each signed back in November to join the Catamounts.

Sophia Marini – 6-0 – RS – Daytona State / Hagerty HS / Oviedo, Fla.

Marini comes to Cullowhee after spending the past two seasons at Daytona State in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The Oviedo, Fla. native appeared in 45 matches totaling 156 sets over two years at Daytona State. During her two years with the Falcons, she totaled 246 kills, ranking third on the team last season with 152. She finished with a single-game, season-best 11 kills against Polk State (Sept. 27) and 10 vs Salt Lake CC (Aug. 29).

Marini contributed on defense with 65 blocks over her two seasons, including 44 in 2025. She garnered FCSAA All-Tournament team honors from the conference in 2025 after a standout performance in a pair of tourney matchups with 10 kills, five blocks, and four digs over seven sets. She also received “Battle at the Beach” all-tournament honors during the opening weekend for Daytona State, as she contributed on both ends of the stat sheet.

Brookelyn Nance – 6-2 – MB – Gardner-Webb / Hickory Ridge HS / Hickory, N.C.

Nance joins the WCU family after spending her debut collegiate season at Gardner-Webb out of the Big South Conference. A product of Hickory, N.C., Nance comes to the Catamounts after totaling 113 kills spanning 75 sets throughout 22 matches in 2025 with the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Nance totaled a season-high 10 kills against Norfolk State during the early part of the season, as she had five matches posting over a .300 hitting percentage.

On the defensive end, Nance helped lead Gardner-Webb to the second-best blocking team in the Big South, finishing with 67 rejections. Before her stop in Boiling Springs, she was an all-conference selection at Hickory Ridge High as a prep senior, surpassing 200 kills in both her junior (293) and senior (234) seasons. She played club volleyball for Carolina Juniors.

Keep track of everything related to Catamount volleyball and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@wcu_catamounts, @catamountvb), and Twitter (@catamounts, @catamountvb).

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UT Arlington Student-Athletes Excel in Classroom in 2025 Fall Semester

Published

21 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

ARLINGTON, Texas – As UT Arlington student-athletes achieved championship success in competition, the foundation was laid in the classroom.

As a collective, UT Arlington student-athletes combined for a 3.125 grade point average in the Fall 2025 semester while holding a 3.123 overall department GPA. Of the 11 athletics units, all 11 teams earned at least a 2.9 GPA during Fall 2025, led by women’s golf with a 3.438 GPA, just ahead of baseball with a 3.281 GPA.

Those teams were followed by women’s basketball (3.229), volleyball (3.190), men’s tennis (3.116), women’s track & field (3.070), men’s basketball and women’s tennis (3.054), men’s golf (3.013), softball (2.967) and men’s track & field (2.964).

This is the 24th semester in a row that the athletic department held a cumulative department GPA above a 3.0. Overall, 10 of the 11 programs hold a 3.0 GPA or better with all 11 holding a 2.95 GPA or better.

2025 Fall Team Grade Point Averages

Program	Fall GPA	Overall GPA
Women’s Basketball	3.229	3.271
Women’s Golf	3.438	3.261
Baseball	3.281	3.251
Volleyball	3.190	3.216
Men’s Golf	3.013	3.133
Softball	2.967	3.079
Men’s Tennis	3.116	3.074
Women’s Tennis	3.054	3.054
Women’s Track & Field	3.070	3.031
Men’s Basketball	3.054	3.022
Men’s Track & Field	2.964	2.959
Department Total	3.125	3.123

— #BuckEm —

FOLLOW THE MAVS SOCIALLY
For up-to-date news, photos and videos, follow UTA Athletics online at UTAMavs.com or via several social media accounts on X @UTAMavs, Instagram @UTAMavs and Facebook /UTAMavs.

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Volleyball’s Ryan Windisch Promoted to Associate Head Coach

Published

23 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

TUCSON, Ariz. – Ryan Windisch has been promoted to Associate Head Coach of Arizona Volleyball after three years on staff as an assistant coach, head coach Charita Stubbs announced on Thursday.

“I am thrilled to announce Ryan’s promotion to Associate Head Coach,” Stubbs said. “He has been on my staff since the beginning and is extremely knowledgeable about the game of volleyball which has helped our program grow over the past three years. I am thankful to have him on staff and look forward to seeing him continue to grow with our program.”

Windisch, who coached the defensive specialists and setters in the 2025 season, helped the team reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018 and finish sixth place in the Big 12. In 2025, he helped the defense total 1,632 digs and average 14.57 digs per set. Windisch also helped Arizona’s setter rank second in the Big 12 with 10.63 assists per set during the 2025 season.

In Windisch’s second year on staff, the Wildcats won the 2024 NIVC Championship with a 24-9 overall record. Windisch helped the defense record 1,849 digs which ranked 10th in program history for digs in a single season. During his three years on staff, Windisch has coached AVCA All-American Jordan Wilson and six All-Conference performers.

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Learning Fast, Leading Early: Haneline’s Front Row Growth – University of South Carolina

Published

39 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Earning it, not expecting it

Opportunity, however, was never confused with entitlement.

Haneline arrived on campus knowing nothing would be handed to her. Preseason practices were six-hour days, constant competition and physical and mental fatigue that tests even veteran players.

“I told myself it was okay if I didn’t play,” she said. “But my mindset was that I was going to do everything I possibly could to earn it.”

That meant winning positional battles, taking care of her body, eating right, lifting, getting sleep and showing up every day with purpose. Slowly, confidence replaced doubt.

“I think it was early in non-conference play when I realized, ‘Okay, I can do this,’” she said. “Once we started seeing how the lineup was shaping up, I felt it.”

A big reason for that confidence stood right next to her.

Learning from the best

As a freshman middle blocker, Haneline spent countless hours alongside senior standout Ady O’Grady, soaking in advice and modeling her approach.

“I stuck by her side a lot,” Haneline said. “I wanted to learn everything I could from her. Watching her, asking questions, trying to be like her.”

The mentorship left a lasting imprint.

“I told my coaches I want to be the next Ady,” she said. “I want freshmen coming in to look up to me the way I looked up to her.”

That leadership mindset has already shown itself, especially during moments when USC Upstate leaned heavily on its freshman class.

A freshman trio making history

There were nights this season when the Spartans featured three freshmen across the front row, with another freshman anchoring the back line at libero.

“One game, we were all up there, and I said in the huddle, ‘Okay, freshmen, we got this,’” Haneline said, laughing. “We’d say little things to each other on the net, just funny freshman comments.”

That trust paid off. USC Upstate finished 14-14 and saw three freshmen make program history. Outside hitter Summer Kohler earned Second Team All-Big South honors. Haneline and libero Sophia Overholt both collected Honorable Mention All-Big South nods. All three landed on the league’s All-Freshman Team, the most in a single season in program history.

For Haneline, the numbers backed up the accolades. She appeared in all 27 matches and 105 sets, ranking third on the team with 260 kills and second with a .245 hitting efficiency. She added 80 total blocks, including 10 solo stops, and recorded double-digit kills in 11 matches.

Her freshman résumé continues a trend of excellence that began long before she arrived in Spartanburg.

Built before she arrived

At Crest High School in Shelby, Haneline helped the Chargers to 63 wins and four playoff appearances. Over her prep career, she totaled 1,259 kills, 554 digs, 214 blocks and 167 service aces while posting a .306 hitting percentage. She was a three-time All-Conference selection, a two-time All-Region honoree and an AVCA Watchlist athlete.

Club volleyball further sharpened her edge, including a third-place finish in the Premier Division at AAU Nationals.

Still, college volleyball required growth. Injuries forced Haneline to spend time at right side, giving her a new perspective on efficiency and shot selection.

“It helped me realize the difference between being a middle and being on the pin,” she said. “As a middle, it’s quick and done. On the right side, you’re not getting a kill every swing. You have to be smart.”

That adaptability is shaping her focus heading into spring and beyond. Blocking. Efficiency. Finding every possible way to help the team.

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First Road Trip of 2026

Published

54 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt track and field continues its indoor season at Kentucky’s Rod McCravy Memorial Track & Field Meet at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

The last time out
• Before the winter break, the Vandy hosted the Winter Commodore Challenge where student-athletes recorded 10 marks ranking in the program’s all-time top 10
• In her first-ever collegiate meet, Cali Bryant won the high jump, clearing 1.74 meters. The mark is tied for sixth in Vanderbilt history
• In the 60-meter hurdles final, all three Commodores, Devyn Parham, Santana Spearman and Taylor McKinnon, registered personal-best marks and improved their standings in the Vandy record books
• The Dores also found success in the triple jump as all three student-athletes, Pryncess Jackson, Anaya Webster and Anya Carey, PRed with marks ranking top 10 in school history

Dores in the rankings
• Seven Commodores are currently ranked top 25 in the NCAA in their respective events
• All seven student-athletes are also top 10 in the SEC
• Parham, Spearman and McKinnon are No. 5, 6 and 8, respectively, in the NCAA in the 60-meter hurdles
• Bryant’s 1.74-meter high jump mark is ranked fourth in the conference

Record watch
• Active student-athletes hold school records in two individual events and own 29 marks ranking in the program’s all-time top 10
• At the 2025 SEC Indoor Championships, the distance medley relay team of Audrey Allman, Allyria McBride, Ellie Wolski and Julia Rosenberg broke the school record and scored in the event at the conference championship for the second consecutive year
• McBride is ranked second in program history in the 300 and 600 meters, while Bria Bennis and Marta Sivina are the No. 2-ranked Dores in their respective events, the 5,000 meters and pentathlon

Keeping up with the Commodores
Action at the Rod McCravy Memorial Track & Field Meet will get underway Friday at 11 a.m. CT. Live results will be available online.

Fans can follow Vanderbilt track and field on Facebook, Instagram and X at @VandyXCTrack.

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