New Transit Custom Stars at Cannes Film Festival; ‘Cannes in a Van’ Showcases Top Independent Films from Mobile Cinema

• New Ford Transit Custom brings a mobile movie theatre to the streets, making its debut screening independent films around the 2013 Cannes Film Festival in the south of France
• Ford-supported ‘Cannes in a Van’ hits the road for the sixth consecutive year; new Transit Custom key to four-wheeled mission promoting independent film-making in Europe
• Special eye-catching new Transit will star in larger-than-ever number of Cannes in a Van events throughout 2013 including the European Van d’Or Awards for independent film

Cannes, France, May 17, 2013 – Movie fans at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival will once again be able to watch the cream of independent film as the Ford-supported ‘Cannes in a Van’ team hits the streets in their four-wheeled mobile movie theatre.

Powered by Ford for a second year, and featuring the latest Transit Custom as their new support vehicle, the film enthusiasts behind Cannes in a Van will champion independent film at an expanded range of festivals and events in 2013, including the spectacular annual Van d’Or Film Awards in September.

The Cannes in a Van programme kicks off with the annual visit to the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, where the Transit will enable film fans to view screenings of independent movies including the 2012 Van d'Or Awards winners and nominees while the van is parked on the Boulevard de la Croisette near the festival site in Cannes.

“Inspired independent productions like ‘82’ and ‘Taking Life’ made our 2012 Awards a special occasion, and it’s a real privilege to take films like these down to Cannes and give them much-needed exposure within the festival,” said Cannes in a Van co-founder, Andy Greenhouse. “We’re also really excited to have the new Transit Custom as our home for the sixth year of Cannes in a Van.”

Following the 2013 pilgrimage to Cannes, the Transit Custom – complete with its signature yellow and orange design – will support a variety of other film festivals and ‘pop-up’ events in Europe. The year culminates with the international Van d’Or Awards for independent film which will be held in September in London.

The Cannes in a Van team’s long-wheelbase Transit Custom has been specially prepared for its role as a four-wheeled film festival, featuring a 55-inch plasma screen in the load area to display the films. To help movie goers locate the vehicle, roof-mounted advertising panels have been created, which are fixed to the Transit Custom’s unique integrated roof rack system.

Winner of International Van of the Year 2013 and the first vehicle in its segment to achieve a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, the all-new Transit Custom offers class-leading load-carrying ability, best-in-class fuel economy, and advanced Ford vehicle technologies including SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Rear View Camera and Lane Keeping Alert.

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Notes for Editors

1.  About Cannes in a Van
Cannes in a Van was created by two UK film enthusiasts who had the vision of taking independent films to the Cannes Film Festival, and presenting them from the back of a Ford Transit van.  The first trip took place in May 2007, and the journey has become an annual pilgrimage ever since.  As part of the mission to gain increased exposure for independent film, the group organised the first of the legendary Van d’Or film awards in 2011. For more information, visit www.cannesinavan.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
 
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (15 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911