BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
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Another September festival is Busan. Arguably the most important international festival of Asian film, it was created in 1996 and unfolds in the Haeundae District of the South Korean port city. The line-up is international (the first edition’s opening premiere was Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies), but the main focus for many visitors is the Asian programme – catching up with the finest in that region’s cinema. The increased prominence of Asian – and particularly South Korean – cinema in recent years will likely also increase interest in this festival and others across the region, such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Busan’s key prize is the New Currents award for the first or second film by Asian filmmakers.
A TO Z - TOP 20 FILM FESTIVALS
BERLINALE Germany - Berlin, BIFF, Potsdamer Platz, Golden and Silver Bears, international winter film festival BFI
- British Film Institute's London Film Festival,
London, is a celebration of international cinema 9-20 October 2024 CAIRO Cairo CIFF International Film Festival, Opera House, Egypt, Nile river - Golden, Silver, Bronze Pyramid Awards CANNES Paris, France, 5, Rue Charlot 75003 - Film Competitions & Awards Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) - Cinéfondation
The Cartagena Film Festival (Spanish: Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias), or FICCI, is a film festival held in Cartagena,
Colombia, which focuses mainly on the promotion of Colombian television series, Latin American films and short films. The Cartagena Film Festival, which is held every March, is the oldest film festival in Latin America.
EDINBURGH
Established in 1947 as the International Festival of Documentary Films, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. EIFF seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent, in a setting steeped in history.
FESPACO
The biannual Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso was established in 1969 and accepts competition-only films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa.
HKIFF Hong Kong, China
As one of Asia's oldest and most prestigious film festivals, the Hong Kong International Film Festival is a showcase for Chinese-language cinema and a platform for Asian filmmakers to gain international recognition. The festival isn't just about screenings; it's about fostering a deeper understanding of Asian culture and cinema.
INDIA
Goa,
India | 2023
Locarno, Switzerland / August 2-12
Unfolding in this beautiful Swiss town at the foot of the Alps and on the northern shore of Lake
Maggiore, this festival has been in existence since 1946. Unfolding every August, it has recently built its reputation for its blend of mainstream fare and edgier titles (alongside Rotterdam Film Festival’s equally esoteric Golden Tiger competition), the latter of which are reflected in the winners of the festival’s top prize, the Golden Leopard.
LONDON
British BFI, London
The British Film Institute's London Film Festival is a celebration of international cinema in the heart of one of the world's most vibrant cities. The festival is known for its diverse selection of films, from blockbusters to indie flicks, and its commitment to showcasing new talent. It isn't just a film festival; it's a cultural institution.
MELBOURNE MIFF
Melbourne,
Australia | August 3-20
The Melbourne International Film Festival is the Southern Hemisphere's largest film festival, known for its eclectic mix of local and international films. MIFF isn't just a film festival; it's a community event that brings together cinephiles, filmmakers, and storytellers from across Australia and around the world.
SANTA FE
The Santa Fe Film Festival focuses on bringing together distinguished industry specialists and all movie lovers through accessible screenings, panels, workshops and parties! The Festival will continue to grow as the leading exhibition and portal for all things cinematic in New Mexico.
SUNDANCE
The largest independent film festival in the United States, the Sundance Film Festival was founded in 1985, when the Sundance Institute assumed creative and administrative control of the US Film Festival. Held annually in Park City,
Salt Lake
City, Utah, it attracts more than 45,000 people with the goal of being the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives.
Sundance is where indie films shine. Founded by Robert Redford, the festival takes place in Park City, Utah, and is the largest independent film festival in the U.S. Sundance isn't just about discovering new talent; it's about celebrating the spirit of independence and the art of storytelling without the constraints of mainstream Hollywood.
Giving Berlin a run for its money weather-wise, the United States’ indie darling was for much of the 1990s and 2000s the most essential film festival in the country. It takes place in Park City,
Utah, every January. A mountain resort, Park City is set in beautiful surroundings, but the glamour here is hidden underneath layers of woolly jumpers and windbreakers. It was created under the auspices of Hollywood film star Robert Redford. In the 1980s it expanded, changed its name to Sundance (a reference to one of Redford’s most iconic roles) and gradually built its reputation as the home of the nascent US indie film.
Jarmusch, Soderbergh, Tarantino etc. The list is endless. More recent years have seen its position challenged. The top award is the Dramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize.
SXSW - SOUTH BY SOUTH WEST
South by Southwest, or SXSW, is where film meets technology, music, and interactive media. Held in Austin, Texas, the festival is a melting pot of creativity, showcasing not just films but also the latest in tech and digital media. SXSW isn't just a festival; it's a glimpse into the future of entertainment.
What began as a major music festival in the Texan capital of Austin in 1987, by 1994 also included a film component. It began small, but its ambitions soon grew. By the mid-2000s, South by Southwest Film Festival was attracting as strong a line-up of US indie talent as Sundance. It’s now a major player in the US film festival scene and a draw for both filmmakers and the industry in general. Moreover, who wouldn’t want to attend a Spring film festival where you can also catch up with some of the best live music acts? Multiple awards are presented at SXSW each year for shorts, documentaries, film design and more.
TELLURIDE
Telluride Film Festival
TOKYO
Tokyo,
Japan | 2023
TORONTO
The Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF, is known for its accessibility and its broad appeal. Unlike some of its more exclusive counterparts, TIFF offers something for everyone, from blockbuster premieres to indie gems. It's a place where films are celebrated not just for their artistic merit but for their ability to connect with audiences.
Founded in 1976, Toronto Film Festival is one of the largest audience film festivals in the world. It unfolds in the lakeside Canadian city every September and in recent years has built a reputation as the launchpad for the Oscar awards season. More than a few films that proved a hit with audiences have gone on to achieve Oscar success. Playing so close to Venice, it’s not unusual for films to play in both festivals. And being a primarily audience-driven festival, there’s a party vibe to the proceedings. (At the 2013 edition, following a screening of 12 Years a Slave, two of the film’s stars, Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender, joined in on a limbo competition at a post-screening party.) The audience award is the top prize to look out for.
Since its launch in 1976, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has become one of the biggest publicly attended film festivals in the world, attracting over 480,000 people each year. Operating out of the TIFF Bell
Lightbox, located in Downtown Toronto, TIFF's mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. All year-round, it offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, industry support, and the chance to meet filmmakers from Canada and around the world.
TRIBECA
Born out of the aftermath of 9/11 to revitalize Lower Manhattan, the Tribeca Film Festival has quickly become one of the most significant cultural events in New York City. Tribeca isn't just about films; it's about community, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2002, in direct response to the attacks of 11 September 2001, this Spring festival was aimed at rebuilding morale amongst downtown New Yorkers, as well as a show of cultural resilience. It has increasingly become a draw for international filmmakers and since 2016 has its own awards categories, headed by the Best US Narrative feature film.
VENICE
Coming in a very close second is the oldest film festival in the world. Venice Film Festival was created in 1932 under the auspices of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. But like Cannes, it found its footing in the 1950s. And like its Riviera sibling, it unfolds in one of the most beautiful locations. Keeping slightly away from the tourist trap of St Mark’s piazza, the festival takes place on the Lido. And once again, it attracts all the glamour that any festival can muster. It also follows the Cannes model of a main competition with more esoteric sidebar programmes that allow a wide and diverse range of films to screen. The top prize is the Golden Lion (most prizes at film festivals are either animals or vegetation).
FILM FESTIVAL 2024 POSTER
Film festivals are more than just annual events where movies are screened; they're celebrations of storytelling, culture, and the art of cinema itself. From the glamorous red carpets of Cannes to the indie vibes of Sundance, these festivals bring together the best of the film world, offering a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and for audiences to experience the diversity of global cinema. They're not just about the films; they're about the conversations, the connections, and the community that forms around them. Each festival has its own unique flavor, reflecting the character of its host city and the cinematic tastes of its audience. Whether you're an industry professional looking to network, a filmmaker hoping to debut your work, or a
cinema buff eager to catch the latest and greatest in film, there's a festival out there for you.
We hope you enjoy a journey around the world to explore
twenty (or more) of the best film festivals and what makes each one stand out.
Nothing reaches your soul like a good movie, transporting
you to another world, implanting ideas, reinforcing values -
allowing temporary escape from the everyday.
Gone
with the Wind - 1939 movie classic
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