Julie Sisk's Take2Film Transforms Major Film Festivals into Comprehensive Travel Experiences - MovieMaker Magazine

      After 37 years serving as the Founder and Director of The American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, Julie Sisk has seen firsthand how film festivals can be life-changing—not only for filmmakers. This year, she introduced Take2Film—a curated travel experience designed for cinema aficionados and immersive travel lovers.

      Take2Film provides carefully crafted journeys to some of the world's most famous film festivals. More than just a ticket or a pass, each adventure offers deep context, connections, and local immersion—blending film screenings with curated cultural events, private discussions, and insider insights.

      We spoke with her about the inception of Take2Film, building friendships at film festivals, and recording basketball games for Jack Nicholson.

      MovieMaker: Can you share how Take2Film originated?

      Julie Sisk: At the American Pavilion, one of my roles was to bring what I would consider civilians or those outside of the entertainment industry to the festival, as it's primarily an industry event. It can be quite complex and intimidating for someone who hasn't attended a film festival before. Our aim is to provide access while sharing a wealth of relationships and experiences with travelers seeking more than just a holiday.

      MovieMaker: How do you secure that access?

      Julie Sisk: I won't engage in any of these without collaborating directly with the festival to ensure everything works smoothly. I won’t take someone on a trip if I can't guarantee them access to events.

      We have a very hands-on approach. We are committed to ensuring that everyone maximizes their festival experience.

      This isn't directly tied to Take2Film, but it illustrates our commitment: I used to broadcast basketball playoffs in the American Pavilion at Cannes. I had a relationship with the NBA, and back then, prior to streaming, we would screen the games. Jack Nicholson’s office reached out, saying he was in town and wanted to see a game.

      We set everything up, but at the last moment, he decided it was too late and asked us to tape the game. We recorded it and delivered it to his hotel. The next morning, we received a call saying there was no sound, and I thought, "Is that an issue?" Apparently, it was a significant problem. Within a few hours, I called around town and found some friends on a British Telecom boat who managed to downlink the game from Washington, D.C. We delivered it to his hotel before he even woke up.

      MovieMaker: We met you at Cannes, but what other film festival experiences do you provide?

      Julie Sisk: Currently, we are offering experiences at Cannes, Venice, San Sebastián, and London. More festivals and events are in the works.

      MovieMaker: Who is Take2Film intended for?

      Julie Sisk: It's tailored for both first-time attendees and experienced festival-goers. The trips feature concierge-style hosting and a welcoming, community-focused environment. Initially, I viewed Cannes as solely a bucket list experience, something one does just once. However, we’ve had many repeat guests. One person has attended about seven times, and another couple who once came alone returned with each of their three daughters. It’s designed for those with the time to travel and a passion for film.

      MovieMaker: What do you mean by concierge-style hosting?

      Julie Sisk: Each Take2Film journey balances access to the festival with local exploration—from intimate discussions with filmmakers to guided cultural activities that embody the essence of each city. For example, last year, we took a couple to Venice. The wife was a film fanatic, attending screenings all day, while her husband was less enthusiastic, preferring to see only a couple of films daily. Therefore, in Venice, we organized a behind-the-scenes tour of the Biennale. We arranged for a film critic to meet with our group and took them to various iconic Venice locations featured in films like Summertime and Casino Royale. We also arranged for them to attend the opera and recommended great restaurants, ensuring he had plenty to do as well.

      MovieMaker: We heard about a serendipitous moment related to Summertime at Cannes for you this year?

      Julie Sisk: I mentioned my colleague, Anne Maregiano, who organized a "film tourism" activity for our Venice guests last year. One of the sites visited was where Summertime was filmed with Katherine Hepburn. When one of the guests enthusiastically shared their experience with me, I realized I had never seen the film myself. So, just before coming here, my daughter Kate and I watched it, and I was struck by how beautiful it was. At Cannes this year, my favorite film was a documentary about David Lean called Maverick, which included clips from Summertime, and it felt like everything was coming full circle.

      MovieMaker: Which festival is your favorite?

      Julie Sisk: I have always loved the London Film Festival. I also adore Venice since I enjoy being by the water, and the talent is quite approachable. Of course, Cannes feels like a second home to me, making