Cannes, Care, and the Future of Storytelling
This month, we’ll be celebrating the historic Cannes Film Festival — from its groundbreaking roots as a resistance to authoritarianism after WWII, to its evolution into a launchpad for some of the most seminal and controversial films exploring intimacy on screen - Sex, Lies and Videotape; The Piano; Crash; Titane; Y tu mamá también; to name only a few .
In 1946, as the world emerged from a devastating war and ideological fracture, the Cannes Film Festival opened its doors not just as a celebration of cinema, but as a radical act of creative defiance - and diplomacy. Its founding was a response to the politicization of the Venice Film Festival under fascist regimes — an intentional choice to center freedom of expression, cultural exchange, and artistic integrity.
This same spirit resonates today as we recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
At CINTIMA, we train Intimacy Coordinators to hold space where care and creativity are not at odds, but mutually dependent. We see the connection between Cannes’ post-war founding and the current mental health crisis within the entertainment industry: both moments demand that we reassess what safety, collaboration, and leadership mean inside the storytelling process.
"art can be a tool for healing and bridge-building"
Why the legacy of Cannes Matters
The first Cannes welcomed films from 21 countries and awarded eleven Grand Prix honors. That collective, non-competitive format sent a powerful message: that art can be a tool for healing and bridge-building — not just a product for consumption or prestige.
Today, as Cannes continues to platform bold, complex, and intimate stories, it reminds us of what’s possible when artists are supported, protected, and resourced to do their best work.
Why Mental Health Must Be an Industry Standard
Mental health isn’t a side concern — it’s the foundation for ethical production practices, especially in scenes of emotional vulnerability, nudity, simulated sex, sexual assaults, or power dynamics. Just as Intimacy Coordination has become a recognized tool for physical and emotional safety, we are seeing the industry continuing to move toward a model that sees mental well-being as essential infrastructure, not an afterthought. Think about it this way: the more an actor feels supported in their craft, the deeper, further, harder they can go in their roles.
Every performer, director, and crew member benefits from systems of care that are proactive, not reactive.
From burnout to boundary violations, we’ve seen what happens when care is left out of the process — and we know what’s possible when it’s built in from the start.
Where We Go From Here
At CINTIMA, we’re proud to carry forward the legacy of festivals like Cannes by elevating stories that center human connection — and by building professional training programs that prioritize care as a creative value.
We work with productions, studios, and aspiring intimacy professionals to ensure that today’s sets are not only artistically excellent, but ethically sound.
As we honor both Cannes 2025 and Mental Health Awareness Month, we call on industry leaders to ask:
How are we resourcing care behind the camera?
What infrastructures do we need to support long-term sustainability for creative professionals?
How can we elevate stories of intimacy without sacrificing performer well-being?
Because ultimately, the stories that last — the ones that resonate across cultures and generations — are those born not just of vision, but of respect, courage, and care.
Ready to Build a Culture of Care?
If you're looking to deepen your practice, we invite you to explore two foundational offerings from CINTIMA:
Our Mental Health First Aid for the Film Industry course equips creatives with the tools to recognize and respond to emotional distress on set. The course is 8 hours online, accredited by the National Council for Mental Health, and certificate is good for 3 years. Next course is JULY 11, 2025
Our Essential Skills for Aspiring Intimacy Coordinators course lays the groundwork for ethical, trauma-informed, and culturally attuned storytelling.
Interested in becoming a CINTIMA Certified Intimacy Coordinator?
