Screen Australia's postcard from Cannes

Mad Max Fury Road's reception, shorts in competition, talent on show and the marketplace abuzz: Screen Australia delegates offer a glimpse of what's happening at Cannes.

Dr George Miller and the cast of Mad Max: Fury Road walk the red carpet at the film's premiere at Cannes / Shutterstock.

Mad Max: Fury Road screened in Cannes last week and the adrenaline-filled epic from Aussie mastermind Dr. George Miller exceeded audience expectations. George Miller, Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy received a standing ovation at the world premiere and there were eruptions of applause throughout.

Aussie writer/director Shane Danielson and producers Vanessa Humphrey and Raquelle David are also shining on the Croisette: the filmmakers are up for a Palme d’or for their short The Guests. And VCA graduates, director Qiu Yang and producer Natalie James, will present their short Ri Guang Zhi Xia (Under The Sun) in Cinefondation. Both short filmmaking teams have features ready to finance and are are taking multiple meetings.

Simon Baker was in town to promote his directorial feature debut Breath, and other Aussie stars like Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett have films in competition. Justin Kurzel and See-Saw Films will present their film Macbeth in competition on Saturday.

Behind the festival, the market is abuzz with around 14 completed Australian feature films screening, and many more in various stages of development and production are being bought and sold.

Around 350 Australian actors, writers, directors, producers and other screen industry professionals have travelled to Cannes this year to do business, make connections, discuss collaborations and present ideas on the future of screen culture and the global market.