TOP 10/20 INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS

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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 cinephile eager to catch the latest and greatest in film, there's a festival out there for you. Let's take a journey around the world to explore twenty (or more) of the best film festivals and what makes each one stand out.

CAIRO

One of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the Arabian world, Africa and the Middle East, CIFF held its 44th edition in November to honor some of Egypt’s most beloved treasures, its films.

Under the new leadership of director Amir Ramses, the event featured tributes to actress Maha Abu Ouf, director Ali Abdel Khaleq and actor Hesham Selim, all of whom died in 2022. It also welcomed nearly 100 films from more than 50 countries.

Its international jury was led by Japanese director Naomi Kawase, and the Golden Pyramid Award for Best Film went to Firas Khoury’s coming-of-age drama Alam. If you haven’t been to Egypt, bear in mind that worldwide attractions Nile cruises, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are within easy distance of the Cairo Opera House, site of the festival.

CANNES

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 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). 

CARTAGENA

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.

The Cartagena Film Festival was founded 1959 by Victor Nieto. Nieto remained the director of the film festival for 48 years, his last being in 2008. Nieto died at the age of 92 in November 2008. Lina Paola Rodriguez was appointed manager by Nieto in 2007 and 2008, and will remain acting director following Nieto's death.

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. 

BERLIN

Germany

For anyone familiar with the German capital, it’s rarely what’s on the surface that counts, but the party happening beneath. Berlin may not possess the allure of the Riviera or a city on the water, but its treasures lie in the vast programme that unfolds during a – generally – freezing February. Founded in 1951, in the early 2000s it moved its base to Potsdamer Platz, which better reflected how the once-split city has been reunited and become a major cultural force. The top prize is the Golden Bear, a suitable choice for one of the chilliest festivals of the year.  

BUSAN

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.

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

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

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 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

A film festival is an organized, extended presentation of films in one or more cinemas or screening venues, usually in a single city or region. Increasingly, film festivals show some films outdoors.

Films may be of recent date and depending upon the festival's focus, can include international and domestic releases. Some film festivals focus on a specific filmmaker, genre of film, such as horror films, or subject matter. Several film festivals focus solely on presenting short films of a defined maximum length. Film festivals are typically annual events. Some film historians, including Jerry Beck, do not consider film festivals as official releases of the film.

The oldest film festival in the world is the Venice Film Festival. The most prestigious film festivals in the world, known as the "Big Five", are (listed chronologically according to the date of foundation): Venice, Cannes, Berlin (the original Big Three), Toronto, and Sundance.

2023 FILM FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Venice Film Festival in Italy began in 1932 and is the oldest film festival still running.

Mainland Europe's biggest independent film festival is ÉCU The European Independent Film Festival, which started in 2006 and takes place every spring in Paris, France. Edinburgh International Film Festival is the longest-running festival in Great Britain as well as the longest continually running film festival in the world.

Australia's first and longest-running film festival is the Melbourne International Film Festival (1952), followed by the Sydney Film Festival (1954).

North America's first and longest-running short film festival is the Yorkton Film Festival, established in 1947. The first film festival in the United States was the Columbus International Film & Video Festival, also known as The Chris Awards, held in 1953. According to the Film Arts Foundation in San Francisco, "The Chris Awards (is) one of the most prestigious documentaries, educational, business and informational competitions in the U.S.; (it is) the oldest of its kind in North America and celebrating its 54th year". It was followed four years later by the San Francisco International Film Festival, held in March 1957, which emphasized feature-length dramatic films. The festival played a major role in introducing foreign films to American audiences. Films in the first year included Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood and Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali.

Today, thousands of film festivals take place around the world - from high-profile festivals such as Sundance Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, and Slamdance Film Festival (Park City, Utah), to horror festivals such as Terror Film Festival (Philadelphia), and the Park City Film Music Festival, the first U.S. film festival dedicated to honoring music in film.

Film Funding competitions such as Writers and Filmmakers were introduced when the cost of production could be lowered significantly, and internet technology allowed for the collaboration of film production.

Film festivals have evolved significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many festivals opted for virtual or hybrid festivals. The film industry, which was already in upheaval due to streaming options, has faced another major shift, and movies showcased at festivals have an even shorter runway to online launches. 

This could be the natural sequel to any of the up and coming Cleopatra biopic films currently in the mix.

  THE WORLD'S TOP 10 BEST 15 INTERNATIONAL 20 BIGGEST FILM FESTIVALS: CAIRO, CANNES, CARTAGENA, BERLIN, BRITISH, BUSAN, HONG KONG, LOCARNO, MELBOURNE, SANTA FE, SUNDANCE, SXSW, TOKYO, TORONTO, TRIBECA, VENICE ON PLANET EARTH

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