One of the things I like to do is inspire and remind others that anything is possible. If you've never been to Cannes, you may not realize that not everyone is wealthy or can claim a slot on the A-list. Actually, many people who come here show up by the skin of their teeth, a miracle or two, and by taking a leap into the unknown.
Dearest filmmakers, if you ever have the opportunity to go to the Cannes Film Festival, please ignore your voices of doubt and find a way to make it happen. You'll be truly thankful you did.
Actress and Youth Acting Teacher Alisha Marks shares her journey to Cannes 2015.
by Alisha Marks
I was taught at a young age to believe in myself, and was lucky to grow up in a creative family and a strong support system that taught me to pursue my dreams. I fell in love with acting during my first school play, The Sound of Music, and since then, acting has always been my passion and known path in life.
Other than wanting to be a professional actor, a lifelong dream was to go to The Cannes Film Festival. This year, I am blessed to say that I am here for a film that I performed in called Margereet, a tragic story inspired by the historical figure Mata Hari screening at the festival’s Short Film Corner. It’s an honor to be part of it in the role of Lolita, and stars the talents Zoya Skya and Riley Smith.
I feel my self belief and trust in the magic of the universe were the perfect ingredients that allowed for this dream come true to appear out of nowhere. It was a chain of unexpected happenings, no doubt.
For one, I never auditioned for the film, and never thought that I’d end up in Cannes when the Director Katherine Nova contacted me last year.
The day I learned that we were accepted into the festival, I was actually in Miami on vacation where I was processing a challenging and dramatic transition in my personal life, and wasn’t 100% sure of how I would make it to Cannes. I knew my determination would get me there, but I definitely had some obstacles to maneuver.
The hardest part was that I had to leave my old home with only 2 weeks to find a new home for my puppy and myself before leaving. To top that, my heart was set on living in a part of Los Angeles that everyone said was impossible with my budget. I somehow kept my focus, and found what I wanted only three days before I had to move out.
The other factor was finding a place to stay at Cannes, which everyone knows is quite expensive and difficult at the last minute. I could have given up, but I didn’t. Just weeks before the festival, I was offered a great place to rent for extremely cheap in the heart Cannes – really, a deal that is unheard of.
I got my plane ticket moments before departure, and decided to go to Paris alone. Some of my friends said I was crazy to go without knowing anyone or knowing how to speak French; I didn’t listen to them and went anyway. I had the best time, getting lost in the streets of Paris and meeting warm and welcoming Parisians along the way.
Since being at Cannes, I have been in the festival flow: seeing high quality films, and meeting fascinating people from all around the world. It’s been a journey full of gifts and new friends, and if I had not believed in myself or listened to people who said I couldn’t do it, none of this would have happened
I am truly grateful to the wonderful people who have helped to make this experience possible, and I’m happy that I kept my heart and mind open to coming here, regardless of the obstacles that I faced back home. I’m writing about one of my lifelong dreams come true from a street café on the Croisette. It doesn't get much better than that.
Dearest filmmakers, if you ever have the opportunity to go to the Cannes Film Festival, please ignore your voices of doubt and find a way to make it happen. You'll be truly thankful you did.
Actress and Youth Acting Teacher Alisha Marks shares her journey to Cannes 2015.
by Alisha Marks
I was taught at a young age to believe in myself, and was lucky to grow up in a creative family and a strong support system that taught me to pursue my dreams. I fell in love with acting during my first school play, The Sound of Music, and since then, acting has always been my passion and known path in life.
Other than wanting to be a professional actor, a lifelong dream was to go to The Cannes Film Festival. This year, I am blessed to say that I am here for a film that I performed in called Margereet, a tragic story inspired by the historical figure Mata Hari screening at the festival’s Short Film Corner. It’s an honor to be part of it in the role of Lolita, and stars the talents Zoya Skya and Riley Smith.
I feel my self belief and trust in the magic of the universe were the perfect ingredients that allowed for this dream come true to appear out of nowhere. It was a chain of unexpected happenings, no doubt.
For one, I never auditioned for the film, and never thought that I’d end up in Cannes when the Director Katherine Nova contacted me last year.
The day I learned that we were accepted into the festival, I was actually in Miami on vacation where I was processing a challenging and dramatic transition in my personal life, and wasn’t 100% sure of how I would make it to Cannes. I knew my determination would get me there, but I definitely had some obstacles to maneuver.
The hardest part was that I had to leave my old home with only 2 weeks to find a new home for my puppy and myself before leaving. To top that, my heart was set on living in a part of Los Angeles that everyone said was impossible with my budget. I somehow kept my focus, and found what I wanted only three days before I had to move out.
The other factor was finding a place to stay at Cannes, which everyone knows is quite expensive and difficult at the last minute. I could have given up, but I didn’t. Just weeks before the festival, I was offered a great place to rent for extremely cheap in the heart Cannes – really, a deal that is unheard of.
I got my plane ticket moments before departure, and decided to go to Paris alone. Some of my friends said I was crazy to go without knowing anyone or knowing how to speak French; I didn’t listen to them and went anyway. I had the best time, getting lost in the streets of Paris and meeting warm and welcoming Parisians along the way.
Since being at Cannes, I have been in the festival flow: seeing high quality films, and meeting fascinating people from all around the world. It’s been a journey full of gifts and new friends, and if I had not believed in myself or listened to people who said I couldn’t do it, none of this would have happened
I am truly grateful to the wonderful people who have helped to make this experience possible, and I’m happy that I kept my heart and mind open to coming here, regardless of the obstacles that I faced back home. I’m writing about one of my lifelong dreams come true from a street café on the Croisette. It doesn't get much better than that.
- 5/20/2015
- by Erin Grover
- Sydney's Buzz
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