The Cinema Travellers premiered at
Cannes Film Festival to a rousing response. The first audiences of the film gave it a standing ovation. Glowing press reviews followed. Graham Fuller of
Screen Daily declared, "Whatever masterpieces, if any, bow at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, it is likely none will communicate the excitement engendered by movies more headily than The Cinema Travellers." He lauded the film for being "rigorous, aesthetically and intellectually." E. Nina Rothe of
The Huffington Post called it a "masterpiece," and further, "a film from the heart and a testament to everything humanity should believe in wholeheartedly." Nick Schager of
Variety found the film an "intimate, poignant documentary." Schager wrote, "Recalling Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1988 Oscar winner "
Cinema Paradiso" in its effusive love of 20th-century celluloid splendor, this five-years-in-the-making film should entice theatrical-loving cinephiles." The film’s narrative form drew attention from reviewers. Benjamin Lee of
The Guardian gave it four stars and wrote "There’s not a moment that feels forced or tweaked to ensure an emotional beat gets checked off, which results in both immersion and authenticity at every stage of the film." He summed up the film as "evocative, subtle and heartfelt". David Ehrlich of
Indiewire called the film, "wise and wistful." Alex Ritman of
The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Its triumph lies in how it also captures the magic of this unique, collective movie-watching experience." Rating the film 9.5 on 10, Alex Billington of First Showing found the film, "jaw dropping," and wrote, "Everyone else who loves the cinematic experience as much as I do needs to revel in the glory of this doc."
Tom Brook of BBC Talking Movies interviewed the directors in Cannes and included the film in his special coverage from the festival.
LA Times included the film in its wrap-up report from Cannes calling it one of "The most involving films on film history."File:Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya with Gianfranco Rosi, president of the L’Oeil d’or jury – Cannes Documentary Award.jpg|thumb| Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya with Gianfranco Rosi, president of the L’Oeil d’or jury – Cannes Documentary Award == Awards ==