Cannes will soon be transformed into a major gaming hub as the International Games Festival, the Festival International des Jeux, returns to the city at the end of this month. Here’s what to expect, from new attractions and expanded spaces to the As d’Or awards.
Cannes is best known for its prestigious film festival, but throughout the year, the city hosts a variety of other big events, including the Cannes International Games Festival. Now in its 38th edition, the event will be taking over the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès from 28th February to 2nd March, bringing together industry professionals, publishers, game designers and fans from around the world.
“The Cannes International Games Festival has become a not-to-be-missed event for all professionals in the gaming industry and gaming enthusiasts,” says Jean-Michel Arnaud, President of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. “It’s essential to pursue its development with redesigned spaces [and] an expanded offering to meet visitor expectations. This 38th edition will be very promising.”
The iconic venue will dedicate 60,000sqm of exhibition space to board games, video games, card games, role-playing games and more in 2025, including indoor exhibition halls and new outdoor structures on the beach and forecourt. The event will also feature tournaments, exhibitions and signing sessions, while the annual As d’Or awards will spotlight the best new games.
The As d’Or-Jeu de l’Année award serves as a benchmark for the industry, rewarding games that are engaging, well-designed and encourage replayability for both casual and seasoned players. The selection process considers factors such as material quality, game mechanics, clarity of rules and the creativity of the game’s authors.
The 2025 nominees for the As d’Or prize include Captain Flip, created by authors Remo Conzadori and Paolo Mori, illustrated by Jonathan Aucomte, edited by Playpunk and distributed by Asmodee. Another nominee is For a Crown, authored by Maxime Rambourg, illustrated by Paul Mayon, edited by Repos Production and distributed by Asmodee. The final nominee in this category is Odin, created by authors Gary Kim, Hope S. Hwang and Yohan Goh, illustrated by Studio Crocotame, edited by Helvetiq and distributed by Wilson Jeux.
A new addition for 2025 is a large labyrinth inspired by Alice in Playland, which will be installed on the terrace of the Palais des Festivals. A festival village with food trucks and live entertainment is also planned, offering visitors a place to gather outside the main exhibition areas.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
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Photo source: Festival International des Jeux