CANNES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

For many, there is Cannes, France, and then everything else. It began in the late 1930s and is the perfect combination of sun, celebrity and the best of world cinema. It has been a major attraction for the finest filmmakers since the mid-1950s. Known to be one of the most prestigious film festivals, it takes place every May, sports the most idyllic location on the French Riviera, and attracts the beau monde of the film world. The festival’s top prize is the Palme d’Or, the Golden Palm, arguably the most sought after film prize. You might get more attention if you won an Oscar – and certainly the likelihood of more funding for future projects – but nothing quite attracts the prestige of this prize.  

One of the world’s most widely publicised events, the Cannes Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which was founded in 1946. The invitation-only festival previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from around the world with the aim of contributing towards the development of cinema, boosting the film industry worldwide and celebrating cinema at an international level.

The most prestigious award given at Cannes is the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) for the best film. Past winners include some of the greatest movies of all time: La Dolce Vita (1960); Taxi Driver (1976); Apocalypse Now (1979); Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989); Wild at Heart (1990); The Piano (1993); Pulp Fiction (1994); and The Pianist (2002). 

The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival took place from 14 to 25 May 2024. American filmmaker and actress Greta Gerwig served as jury president for the main competition. French actress Camille Cottin hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. American filmmaker Sean Baker won the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, for the comedy-drama film Anora.

The official poster for the festival featuring a still image from the movie Rhapsody in August (1991) by Akira Kurosawa, selected for the 1991 edition, was designed by Hartland Villa.

During the festival, three Honorary Palme d'Or were awarded: the first was awarded to Meryl Streep during the festival's opening ceremony; the second was awarded to Studio Ghibli; and the third was awarded to George Lucas during the festival's closing ceremony.

Few days before the opening ceremony, festival workers called for a general strike. The Broke Behind the Screens (Sous les écrans la dèche) collective made public a complaint about the precarious nature of film festival work.

Following the official announcement of The Seed of the Sacred Fig's selection for the main competition, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof was sentenced to eight years in prison as well as flogging, a fine, and confiscation of his property, on the charge of "propaganda against the regime." Cast and crew were interrogated and pressured to convince Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the festival. Shortly after, Rasoulof and some crew members managed to flee from Iran to Europe, and attended the film's world premiere on 24 May 2024. On the red carpet, Rasoulof held up images of stars Soheila Golestani and Missagh Zareh, who were unable to leave Iran for the premiere, and had their passport confiscated. The film received a 12-minute standing ovation, while cast and crew protested in solidarity with Iranian women fight for rights.

The festival opened with French comedy-film The Second Act directed by Quentin Dupieux.

THE OFFICIAL SELECTION

The Official Selection serves to highlight the diversity of cinematic creation through its different sections, each of which has its own distinct identity. The films are screened in world preview showings, meaning it’s often the first time they come under the watchful gaze of a demanding audience made up of professionals and film lovers.

Some sections culminate in awards, such as the Competition where incredibly high-level “mainstream art film” works are presented, Un Certain Regard, which recently shifted its focus to return to more experimental up-and-coming arthouse directors, and CINEF film school graduate offerings.

But the Official Selection also centres on Out of Competition, Special Screenings, Midnight Screenings, and Cannes Première films, as well as heritage works screened as part of Cannes Classics and the Cinéma de la Plage. The important thing is that this Selection is both balanced and representative of cinematography at the time in terms of creativity and geography.

OUT OF COMPETITION

The Out of Competition films are often films that have a big impact on the cinematic calendar, and the Special Screenings and Midnight Screenings represent a special opportunity to view more personal works. Cannes Première was launched in 2021 to showcase silver-screen legends whose work doesn’t necessarily fit neatly in with Competition criteria, while Cannes Classics shines a light on restored copies of old favourites, as well as tributes to and documentaries about cinema.

Cinema lovers can also explore the world of cinema in different ways by attending masterclasses, tributes, or exhibitions which make up the Events of an edition. In 2022, for example, the “Rendez-vous” sessions gave festival-goers the chance to spend time in the company of such exceptional artists as Tom Cruise, Alice Rohrwacher, Javier Bardem, Agnès Jaoui or Mads Mikkelsen.

SHORT FILMS

At Cannes, short films feature in the Competition, at the end of which the Short Films Jury awards a Palme d’Or, and in the Short Film Corner, a platform dedicated to the art of shorts amidst the Marché du Film.

These two entities operate in symbiosis to serve up an overarching snapshot of the international short film scene and foster ties between creative output and industry.

CINEFONDATION

The Cinéfondation (or La Cinéf) section focuses on films made by students at film schools. The Cannes Film Festival allocates a €15,000 grant for the winner of the First Prize, €11,250 for the winner of the Second Prize and €7,500 for the winner of the Third Prize. The following 18 shorts (14 live-action and 4 animated films) were selected from among the 2,263 films submitted by schools from all over the world:

CONTACTS

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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
BUSAN International BIFF Film Festival, South Korea, Asian film festival, Haeundae District port city, New Currents award.

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

CARTAGENA Cartagena Film Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias - FICCI, Colombia

TORONTO Canada - Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF, People's Choice Awards - Bell Lightbox, Toronto

EDINBURGH

Scotland

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.

Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, focusing on artistic quality and excellence, the festival explores new ideas in cinema, inviting local and international audiences to engage with a dynamic programme of features, documentaries, shorts and experimental cinema. 

FESPACO

The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou unfolds every other March. It was created, as former festival director Michel Ouédraogo noted, ‘in a context in which the African states had recently acquired their independence and they wanted to express their sovereignty and their identity’. And it is an essential barometer of the currents flowing through the continent’s thriving cinematic landscape. The most prestigious prize is the Étalon de Yennenga (Stallion of Yennenga), named for the legendary founder of the Mossi Empire.

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.

HONG KONG

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

This 70-year-old festival operates under the beautiful philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family. Because of gaps between some editions, the latest was its 53rd. It began with a joyous celebration of Bollywood, then continued with a salute to cinema worldwide.

Its big winners were the Spanish-language film Tengo sueños eléctricos (I Have Electric Dreams), which won the Golden Peacock, and best director went to Iranian writer-director Nader Saeivar for No End. Goa also includes a film bazaar in which more than 200 scripts, projects and films from compete for the attention of producers, buyers and programmers from around the world.

LOCARNAO

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. 

Among the oldest and most beloved film festivals in the world, Locarno has spent more than three-quarters of a century celebrating the bravest, most experimental and most exceptional of new cinema.

With massive prizes packages in the hundreds of thousands, and attention from major distributors like Netflix and Pathé Films, Locarno is a major destination for filmmakers and film lovers who are drawn not only to its emphasis on great films, but its majestic location near Lake Maggiore and the Alps.

Its screen on the Piazza Grande is Europe’s largest, and it is known for programming an exceptional number of world premieres.

LONDON BFI, London, British Film Institute's London Film Festival celebrates cinema in one of the world's most vibrant cities.

MELBOURNE MIFF

Melbourne, Australia | August 3-20

Now entering its 71st year, one of the oldest continuous film festivals in the world is also one of the most generous: Its main prize, the Bright Horizons Award, is worth nearly $100,000.

Last year it went to Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman’s acclaimed U.S.-Rwandan production Neptune Frost, which the jury praised for “disrupting the colonial gaze and connecting the rising influence of technology in all our lives.”

Other prestigious awards include the BlackMagic Design Australian Innovation Award for an outstanding Australian creative with a film in the MIFF program. This year’s (2024) went to Jub Clerk for directing Sweet As, which, in the words of the jurors, “crossed worlds and intersected certain realities” — just like a great film festival. 

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.

Film festivals are more than just events; they're cultural touchstones that reflect the state of cinema at any given moment. They're about discovery, connection, and the shared experience of film. Whether you're drawn to the glamour of Cannes, the indie spirit of Sundance, or the diverse voices of TIFF, these festivals prove that cinema isn't just alive and well - it's thriving.

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.

The initial idea for a Santa Fe Film Festival was first introduced in May, 1980 when Bill and Stella Pence, founders of Taos Talking Picture and Telluride Film festivals, started an event with a New Directors/New Film program, co-sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The Pences led a festival for four years, with such notable guests as Francis Ford Coppola, Charlton Heston, Sam Peckinpah, and Lillian Gish. Last year, the festival honored renowned Ed Asner.

The current form of the Santa Fe Film Festival was inaugurated in 1999 as a nonprofit and began showing films in the year 2000. It was created by Kurt Young, Larry Stouffer, John Armijo, David Koh and film critic Jon Bowman who also acted as the Executive Director and guiding light of the festival for ten years.

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.

Hundreds of films launched at the festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim including: Reservoir Dogs (1992); Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994); The Usual Suspects (1995); Memento (2000); Napoleon Dynamite (2003); Saw (2004); In Bruges (2008); and Four Lions (2010).

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

Arguably the most eccentric of the leading festivals, Telluride takes place during the Labour Day weekend (the first Monday in September) high in the mountains of Colorado. The programme is only publicised close to the festival opening so that audiences come to it without expectations of what’s playing. It’s also not an awards festival but features mostly US premieres. And of course, it sports a stunning location. Each year, the festival pays tribute to leading lights in cinema.

TOKYO

Tokyo, Japan | 2023

The latest edition of this top-tier festival screened 169 films, an increase from 126 in 2021, and drew nearly 60,000 in admissions, nearly doubling the previous year. More than 50,000 people attended festival-related events.

Highlights included the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to 95-year-old director Nogami Teruyo, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to Japanese film, which began when she worked as a script supervisor for Akira Kurosawa on Rashoman in 1950.

The festival is generous in hosting filmmakers in competition, who can win up to $35,000 in total prizes. It also offers one of the most towering and gorgeous trophies in the film world, created using Tokyo’s Edo Kiriko glass-cutting method. 

TORONTO

Canada

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.

The festival's People's Choice Award – which is based on audience voting – has emerged as an indicator of success during awards season, especially at the Academy Awards. Past recipients of this award include Oscar-winning films, such as Life Is Beautiful (1998), American Beauty (1999), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), The King's Speech (2010), 12 Years a Slave (2013), La La Land (2016), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), Green Book (2018), Jojo Rabbit (2019), and Nomadland (2020).

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.

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