By Josie Goldberg
78 Cannes Film Festival, France (The Hollywood Times) – 6/09/2025
I must say that the 78 Cannes Film Festival was an eye opener for me. When I arrived, I could feel there was a different kind of vibe (not so glamorous as previous years). I am intuitive and can adapt to most situations but there was something that did not feel right this year. I am a field reporter on Entertainment topics, so I figured not all my assignments are going to feel the same and that I should just go with the flow. Not to think about it too much, but that is not me! I am “Only Josie Knows” and my specialty is getting to the bottom of things and brining the darkness to lightness. As I strolled down Boulevard de La Croisette, I could see darkness around me. I did not see glamour; I saw an environment where the sun was dimming on the French Riviera day in and out. I pushed through and thought maybe it was jetlag, too much salami, cheese and bottles of Perseco, but as the days passed the vibe continued. One day I was mortified to find out via “The Jewish Chronicle” that former hostage Mia Schem had her yellow ribbon confiscated at Cannes Film Festival that she wore.
Mia Schem reported that staff at the Cannes Film Festival confiscated the yellow ribbon she was wearing to show solidarity with the hostages still held in Gaza. After I saw that I knew what I felt was not anxiety but was that the Cannes Film Festival does not show Solidarity with Israel! The Jewish people are connected throughout this world and if you hurt one of us you hurt us ALL. I felt like Mia Schem. However, that’s the country I was in (France) and there was nothing I could do. C’est la vie (that’s life) as they say in French.
I did not let that stop my field reporting and I still had a great time. I ended going to a Billionaires party that “Kimani” put on. Kimani (an exclusive, invite only private club for global communities). The owner is of Israeli Decent and brought back the spirit of Jewish people “Am Yisrael Chai”. It was the parties of all parties at Cannes Film Festival. Very influential people worldwide and I must say very good-looking sexy crowd. The DJ was the best. I had a blast, see videos.
I was invited to an event by my friend Fred, who owns “VDF VIDEO” and he was working “AFRO CANNES”. I happened to meet two ladies who truly represent Black Excellence. Kim Afreeka, who is a psychotherapist and world renown psychic, has worked with A-List celebrities and predicted many events that have proven to come true. Kim is a screenwriter/producer and if you listen to her interview with The Hollywood Times she has some similarities to the hit movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Kim gave me a read…and yes, I will share with you my viewers at The Hollywood Times, her friend Kelly Woolfolk, is someone that you need to meet if you’re in independent films. Kelly is an international entertainment attorney who helps up and coming filmmakers get financing and package oneself to be attractive to investors.
I was able to interview a very handsome French actor Habib Guabintani. I was curious to ask how his personal life is affected by his romantic scenes with females. He is a heartthrob! Interview below:
I met a very suave Albanian producer Fitim Krasiniqi who also introduced himself to The Hollywood Times. Yes ladies he is looking for actresses as he has some good funding from the Middle East as he says. Conversation below:
I have to say I really enjoyed being a different field reporter at the Cannes Film Festival this year. I got different types of content. Not so glamorous but more real. As a Field reporter for an online magazine and going to Cannes Film Festival for the past 3 years, I have seen the same people, the same parties and I ask myself, where does this lead to in the world of making money in the entertainment industry and making it where one can live a productive life. When I met successful TV exec David Milch at HBO back in 2011 and he took me under his wing, he taught me the way to success for an actor was to be written in for a successful series at a major network for multiple seasons under SAG/AFTRA contract. You can make a good living and build a very good life for youself. David Milch had many expensive homes worldwide, beautiful cars, successful horses and you could smell money and success. It was so attractive! I was dying to be an actress at HB0!
This year I looked at all the hopefuls/dreamers from producers/actors/models and writers (ages 35-65) and thought what are the chances to be booked at a studio and make it big? I asked some actors how many years and seasons one can gravel? I asked many…”Aren’t you sick of being moochers, on others shirt tails, standing in long lines and waiting for something that may never arrive?” I know it wears on me too sometimes in all honesty. I hope to one day go to Network TV and work as a field reporter under my union SAG/AFTRA contract. To keep their identity private, most actors say money is irrelevant and they love being an artist. I asked how one can live like this, and they said when you love art you can live in a shoe box. To me it does not make sense, but then again, I am not an actor! My passion is trying to figure out for all involved in our entertainment industry on how to make money while reaching our artistic goals. I love helping others to make their dreams a reality by discovering insider information in the industry. (Investigative Journalism)! I will try! Yes, that’s me “Only Josie Knows”. I was very inspired by our President, Donald Trump who recently, when asked if he plans to pardon DIDDY. Mr. President said, it’s not a popularity contest, I must do what’s right as the President! I am a reporter, and I too must do what’s right and report on what I see and feel. I don’t see how one can advance and move forward in the independent world of film making.
I must say I had a lot of fun dressing up and doing red carpet glam. I was very thankful to be styled by Yasaman Fashion. They say one never stops learning about oneself and I have to say that I learned that I love being an artist and pursuing my dream career but not enough to ever live in a shoe box like my fellow comrades. I AM “ONLY JOSIE KNOWS” and I am determined to find “WHERE IS THE MONEY” because I need lots of MONEY!
