Every year, Cannes evolves.

New films. New deals. New faces.

But the one thing that has remained constant, year after year, is this:

The real magic of Cannes happens in the conversations.

The unexpected introductions. The late-night discussions. The moments where ideas turn into collaborations and strangers become creative partners.

And if you’ve been to Cannes over the last decade, you’ve likely experienced another constant, too:

RB Botto.

For more than 10 years, Stage 32 Founder & CEO Richard “RB” Botto has been a familiar, welcoming presence throughout the festival. But beyond that, RB is also a WGA screenwriter and producer who has had films premiere at Sundance, including Sam Levinson’s first feature. He is part of this industry in a very real way, and that perspective shapes how he shows up for this community.

Whether he’s hosting events, walking the Croisette, or stopping to connect with members of Stage 32, RB brings the same energy every time, open, approachable, and genuinely excited to meet you.

If you see him in Cannes, say hello. It means more than you know.

And if you want a glimpse into that energy year-round, make sure you’re following him on Instagram and X @rbwalksintoabar. He’s constantly sharing insight, motivation, and real talk about the industry from someone who lives it every day, just like you.

This year, that spirit of connection is taking on a whole new form.

Introducing: RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar

For the first and most electric weekend of the Cannes Film Festival, we are officially taking over one of the most iconic bars in the city.

From Saturday, May 16th through Tuesday, May 19th, Brown Sugar Gastro Pub will become: RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar

And we don’t just want you to stop by once.

We want this to be your home base for the weekend.

Start your Cannes nights with us on Saturday and make it your go-to spot throughout the festival’s biggest stretch. Whether you’re celebrating a great meeting, continuing a conversation from earlier in the day, or just looking for a space where you instantly feel part of something, this is where you’ll want to be.

Located in the heart of Cannes in the Carré d’Or, this isn’t just any bar. Brown Sugar has long been one of the festival’s most beloved gathering spots. It’s where filmmakers, producers, executives, and creatives naturally find their way after long days at the market.

And now, for one unforgettable weekend, it becomes the home base for the Stage 32 community.

How This All Came Together

There’s a story behind this that already feels like a Cannes legend in the making.

Last year, RB and I arrived in Cannes ready to kick things off the way we always had, by heading to one of our favorite spots, the legendary Pint House. It had been a staple for so many years. So many memories were made there.

But when we got there… it was gone.

Closed.

We stood there for a moment, surprised, a little disappointed, definitely nostalgic. And then RB turned to me and said something that instantly shifted the energy:

“How can we open a bar that people can make their go-to spot for celebration all weekend?”

Not find a new bar to spend time at. Take one over.

That night, I walked into Brown Sugar, met Gary, and the rest is history.

Meet Gary: The Heart Behind Brown Sugar

One of the reasons this partnership means so much to us is because of the person behind it.

Gary, the owner of Brown Sugar, isn’t just a bar owner. He’s a passionate Cannes historian and a true lover of the culture, energy, and legacy of this festival.

He understands what makes Cannes special in a way that goes far beyond business. It’s about people. It’s about stories. It’s about the moments that happen in between the official events.

That’s exactly why this collaboration feels so aligned.

Gary has built Brown Sugar into a space that feels welcoming, vibrant, and full of character. Whether you’re stopping in for a perfectly poured Brewdog Punk IPA, exploring their curated selection of Belgian beers and European lagers, or enjoying wines from small independent growers you won’t find anywhere else in Cannes, you can feel the intention behind the experience.

We’re incredibly proud to partner with Gary to bring this vision to life. If you want a deeper look into Cannes through the eyes of someone who truly knows it, make sure to follow him on X. He’ll be sharing some incredible insights into the history of Cannes and the festival.

And this year, Gary is taking that passion even further with the launch of a new project, CannesRevisited.org.

It’s a personal, long-form exploration of Cannes’ history, built from nearly a decade of research and designed to give you a deeper understanding of the place you’re walking through during the festival. It’s not about headlines or surface-level stories, it’s about uncovering the layers of history that shaped Cannes into what it is today.

If you’re someone who loves the culture, the legacy, and the story behind the spectacle, this is absolutely worth exploring.

You can visit CannesRevisited.org and subscribe for free to follow along, especially during the festival, when Gary will be sharing a series of original pieces that bring Cannes’ past to life in a fresh and engaging way.

The Stage 32 Cannes Meetup… Reimagined

If you’ve been to Cannes before, you’ve probably heard about our meetup.

And if you’ve attended, you already know. It’s one of the most anticipated gatherings of the entire festival.

Last year, we had nearly 1,000 creatives join us. Writers, directors, producers, actors, executives, all coming together in one space with a shared goal: Connection.

But this year, something became very clear. We outgrew the American Pavilion.

So instead of scaling back, we scaled up. Way up.

Our fearless leader, Richard “RB” Botto looked at what this community has become and made a decision that feels very on brand:

If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right.

So… we took over an entire bar.

Join Us for the Official Stage 32 Cannes Meetup

For 2026, our meetup will take place inside our takeover event at RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar.

And it’s going to be something special.

You’ll be joining Richard “RB” Botto, Managing Director, Amanda Toney, and Head of Community, Ashley Smith, along with creatives and industry professionals from all over the world.

No velvet ropes. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations with people who are actively building their careers, just like you.

Details:

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm (local Cannes time)
Location: RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar
Le Carré d’Or
17 Rue des Frères Pradignac
06400 Cannes, France

And one of the best parts?

This event is open to everyone.

Badge holders. Non-badge holders. If you’re in Cannes, you’re welcome.

Click here to RSVP now!

Why This Matters

Cannes can feel overwhelming. It’s fast. It’s crowded. It’s full of opportunity, but not always easy to access.

That’s why spaces like this matter. Because when you walk into RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar, you’re not walking into a random bar. You’re walking into a place full of people who want to connect.

People who understand what you’re building. People who are open to conversation, collaboration, and possibility.

That’s what Stage 32 has always been about.

And now, for one incredible weekend, we get to bring that energy to the heart of Cannes.

We’ll See You There

If you’re heading to Cannes, make this part of your plan.

Come by. Stay awhile. Meet someone new. Start a conversation you didn’t expect.

Because you never know which moment, which introduction, or which connection might change everything.

We can’t wait to see you at RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar!

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