When the sun rises over the Bay of Cannes this May, a sleek silhouette will break the horizon—a 20.8‑meter catamaran named Manana, her twin hulls cutting through the Mediterranean with the promise of something both unexpected and essential for the film world’s glitterati. Launched in 2023 by Custom, Manana Yacht has already rewritten the Riviera charter playbook, and this year, she steps into the Cannes Film Festival’s spotlight as a floating creative hub where story ideas flow as freely as the Champagne.
Stepping aboard Manana feels less like boarding a yacht and more like entering a private club tailored to the art—and business—of filmmaking. The main salon’s plush banquettes and elegantly set tables are arranged around discreet AV stations, each framed by classic portholes that spill in the Riviera’s gentle light. Here, over espressos and croissants, producers and directors unpack their pitches, their laptops tethered to high‑speed Wi‑Fi that instantly bridges Cannes and Hollywood. Two well‑appointed heads help with focus and never break, even when meetings stretch into late afternoon.
A brief, five‑minute tender ride from the Palais des Festivals means Manana’s decks offer a rare blend of accessibility and seclusion. Festival insiders appreciate the sanctuary she provides: a place to hatch last‑minute deals without the buzz of crowded cafés or the clamor of press lobbies. “There’s a clarity that comes with the sea breeze,” one executive confided, “and nothing sparks creativity quite like a view of the Côte d’Azur.”
But Manana’s true magic reveals itself after the screenings conclude. As twilight deepens over Cannes, the catamaran’s open‑air aft deck morphs into an invitation‑only soirée venue. Modular lounges are arranged under soft deck lighting; bespoke cocktails arrive alongside Mediterranean canapés, each crafted by a crew whose white‑glove service feels as natural as the sea beneath your feet. DJs spin deep-house grooves that drift across the water, and conversations—about casting, distribution, or the day’s surprise hit—take on a celebratory edge.
Sustainability underpins every aspect of Manana’s design. Solar panels and a wind‑energy system power onboard amenities, reflecting a growing demand among Riviera regulars for eco‑conscious luxury. Cruising at a leisurely nine knots, she glides effortlessly between Cannes, Monaco, and St. Tropez, offering day‑charter guests a seamless itinerary: morning storyboarding off the Croisette, afternoon sunbathing near the Prince’s Palace, evening dancing beneath the stars off Pampelonne Beach.
In St. Tropez, Manana’s shallow 1.5‑meter draft allows her to anchor closer to the beach clubs than charter yachts, making her a magnet for celebrities seeking a sun‑soaked escape. In Monaco, her wide 11.8‑meter beam provides a stable platform to admire the Grand Prix’s roar without sacrificing comfort. Throughout the season, she has become the Riviera’s talked‑about venue for those who demand exclusivity and versatility.
For Los Angeles insiders used to boardrooms and after-parties in lofts or clubs, Mañana Yacht offers a refreshing alternative: a space where work and celebration blend effortlessly with the rhythm of the sea. Whether discussing a financing deal over lunch or celebrating a premiere under the stars, this catamaran provides a unique and memorable setting, mirroring the creativity and energy of the films it supports.
This May, as the red carpet unfurls at Cannes, look offshore. There, Manana Yacht awaits—proof that the next great story might just begin with a boarding pass and a sea breeze on the French Riviera.
Published by Joseph T.