Top Film Festivals: An Overview
Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival are the most prestigious film festivals in the world and are often called the ‘Big Three.’ The ‘Big Five’ international film festivals include Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival to the list.
Through film festivals, independent cinema that is otherwise ignored due to commercial pressures has a chance of reaching the mainstream media. Film festivals also provide a platform for the participating movies to market themselves to a greater audience and gauge their reactions with test screenings before a commercial release. Film Festivals also offer a chance for independent artists to meet like-minded people and establish relationships. Film Festivals are also a platform for learning different aspects of filmmaking, encouraging new talent and the public to learn more about what goes on behind the camera. Film Festivals are also a platform for film directors and filmmakers to find new faces, which in turn helps the artists that are not yet well-known to the general public.
Cannes Film Festival
The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival took place in Cannes, France, from 17th May to 28th May 2022. Cannes is known to be one of the ‘Big Three’ major European Film Festivals and one among the ‘Big Five’ major International Film Festivals. Some of the noteworthy movies that premiered in Cannes this year are Top Gun: Maverick, Elvis, Corsage, Aftersun, Close, Decision to Leave, Crimes of the Future, and One Fine Morning. From India, Deepika Padukone was seen in the honorable jury panel, among others. Cannes is an invitation-only film festival and general public have no admission into this prestigious ceremony.
Venice Film Festival
The 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival is all set to take place at the scenic island of Venice Lido, from 31st August to 10th September 2022. Venice Film Festival is officially recognized by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Association), and the festival aims to raise awareness and promote international cinema in all its forms as art. The submissions to the Venice Film Festival are usually open from May to the end of June. The most prestigious awards given during this 10-day long festival are the Golden Lion award for the best film, Silver Lion Award for the best director, and Coppa Volpi Awards for the best actor and actress.
Berlin Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival, also commonly known as the Berlinale, is held annually during the month of February in Berlin, Germany. The 72and edition of the Berlinale was conducted from 10th to 20th February 2022. The most prestigious awards of the film festival are the Golden Bear Award and Silver Bear Award. The Golden Bear award in 2022 was won by Alcarràs by Carla Simón, and the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize was won by The Novelist’s Film by Hong Sang-soo. Online submissions for next year’s Berlinale will be activated around mid-September and will close during November 2022.
