Top 100 High-End National&International Film Festivals

"People come to Cannes just to advertise their films, not with a particular message. But the advantage is that if you go to the festival, you get so much press coverage in three days that it advertises the film for the rest of the year." - Jean-Luc Godard.

A FILM FESTIVALS is an organised, 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 festivals focus on a specific film-maker or genre (e.g., film noir) or subject matter (e.g., horror film festivals). A number of film festivals specialise in short films of a defined maximum length. Film festivals are typically annual events.

The most well-known film festivals are the Venice Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival, the latter being the largest film festival worldwide, based on attendance. Venice's festival is the oldest major festival, and the longest continually running one. A 2013 study found 3,000 active films festivals worldwide—active defined as having held an event in the previous 24 months.

Film Festival News & Resources

• 7 reasons why Venice is the world's most glamorous film festival - "Founded in 1932 as part of the Venice Biennale, the Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and, in many respects, the most traditionally glamorous."
• 11 great movies from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival - "It was a busy festival filled with gruesome horror, inventive sci-fi, and plenty more films that will be coming to theaters and streaming services in the coming months."
• 15 Unforgettable Looks at the Venice Film Festival 2024 - "The event, held not long after the couture shows in Paris, has been a showcase for new designs as well as vintage pieces."
• 20 greatest Venice film festival Golden Lion winners - ranked! - "With the 80th instalment of the festival on the Lido around the corner, we sort through the winners of one of cinema’s most prestigious accolades."
• 22 Fabulous Moments From Venice Film Festivals Past - "First held in 1932 as the Esposizione d’Arte Cinematografica - then just a section of the Biennale - the Venice Film Festival is not only the oldest festival of its kind in the world, but also the most glamorous (with the possible exception of Cannes)."
• 51 best Oscars red carpet dresses of all time - "The Academy Awards are one of the most-watched red carpet events in the world (along with the Met Gala, of course)."
• 75th film festival de Cannes 2022 winners' list - Official Website.
• 76th Festival de Cannes 2023 winners’ list - Official website - Festival de Cannes.
• 80th Venice Film Festival 2023: Is Hollywood self-destructing? - "With the release of Dune Part Two delayed, and many of the world's biggest stars not attending the Venice Film Festival, the impact of the actors and writers' strikes is really set to hit home this autumn, writes Leila Latif."
• 80th Venice film festival 2023: our critic’s picks of 10 to watch - "Yorgos Lanthimos goes more surreal than ever, Adam Driver pulls on Ferrari’s racing gloves and Polish auteurs get political in this year’s lineup."
• 80th Venice film festival 2023: T-shirts replace red carpet glitz as striking stars lie low - Support for the Hollywood strikes is evident as festival hopes its strong line-up makes up for lack of glamour.
• 94th Academy Awards | oscar nominees 2022 - Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
• 100-year-old silhouettes ruled the Venice red carpet - "What year is it again? Some of the looks on the red carpet at the 81st Venice Film Festival could suggest the year was 1924, rather than 2024."
• 2023 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About Hollywood’s Biggest Night of the Year - "The 2022 Oscars were historic to say the least: Apple TV+’s life-affirming CODA became the first film released by a streaming service to win best picture; its raucous star Troy Kotsur became the first deaf man to secure an acting Oscar; West Side Story’s Ariana DeBose became the first openly queer woman of color to scoop best supporting actress; and, before he took home best actor, Will Smith was involved in a jaw-dropping viral moment which will be remembered for decades to come. So, what on earth will the 2023 ceremony bring? Here’s everything we know so far."
• All the Red-Carpet Looks from the 2023 Cannes Film Festival - "The Cannes Film Festival is officially back to celebrate this year’s best in international cinema, and stars are continuing to live up to the festival’s signature upscale glamour on the red carpet."
• An Inside Look At The Luxury Trips In This Year’s 2021 Oscar Gift Bags - "With the Oscars just days away, Hollywood is slowly getting back into its groove of showering A-List celebrities with jewelry, wine, gourmet food, and beauty treatments - but like most of the rest of us celebrities love to travel, and this year the trips they are being gifted do not disappoint. With trips valued at over $25,000 they span the globe and all abide with pandemic protocol to ensure that every star that visits will be safe."
• 'Battle for civilisation': Venice film festival calls for fightback against Netflix - "The directors of seven European film festivals shared the stage at the opening of the 77th Venice film festival to help kick-start an industry that they said was in danger of being usurped by streaming sites such as Netflix because of the Covid-19 pandemic."
• Berlin film festival 2023 roundup - prestige, politics & ethical starpower - "This year’s Berlinale continued the tradition of combining earnestness with red-carpet glamour - featuring Kristen Stewart, Bono and Steven Spielberg, and this time some real crowd pleasers."
• best red carpet fashion at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in photos - "The Cannes Film Festival drew to a close on Saturday, and as always, the nearly two-week event was a fashion spectacle, with a slew of celebrated directors, actors and writers making their entrances on the hallowed Promenade de la Croisette."
• Bjork's swan dress: A reviled Oscars outfit that's now iconic - "Bjork's 2001 swan dress is iconic - but did it mark the end of fun on the red carpet? Clare Thorp looks at how the singer refused to play by the rulebook."
• Can a blockbuster still win big at the Oscars? - "Sony’s bullish FYC campaign for smash hit Spider-Man: No Way Home has reignited a debate over what kind of film the Academy should be rewarding."
• Cannes 2021: Film stars without masks on Cannes red carpet - "After it's 2020 cancellation due to Covid, the Cannes Film Festival is back – and so are the stars on its red carpet."
• Cannes 2022: 10 movies to watch out for in this year’s festival - "Austin Butler shakes his stuff as Elvis, Cronenberg gets creepy, Claire Denis takes on colonial agony and Hirokazu Kore-eda unwraps his first Korean-language film."
• Cannes 2022 week one roundup: a return to form & Top Gun reborn - "Back in its traditional May slot, the film festival was in boisterous spirits. Week one’s wildly eclectic offerings ranged from Italian arthouse grandeur to Tom Cruise flying high."
• Cannes 2023: The Films We’re Excited About Seeing - "Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and Todd Haynes have works premiering this year at the festival on the French Riviera."
• Cannes 2024 winners: why Anora’s arty strippers united everyone - "The festival’s Palme d’Or choice was wildly popular but the taboo-busting transgender gangster film Emilia Perez was the most audacious on show."
• Cannes defends decision to pick Johnny Depp film as festival opener - "Prestige slot for Jeanne de Barry, featuring Depp as Louis XV, has drawn criticism but general delegate Thierry Frémaux says it is not ‘a controversial choice’."
• Cannes film festival 2023: the best red carpet looks so far - in pictures - "From Dua Lipa to Gigi Hadid, flip-flops to #mermaidcore, the Croisette turned out its yearly assortment of delights."
• Cannes film festival: the best red carpet looks part two - in pictures - "From Julia Garner’s old-Hollywood glamour to Elsa Hosk’s optical illusion gown, from feathers to the burnt to the bin-bag look, fashion’s ingenuity shone bright."
• Cannes Film Festival: 75 years of era-defining fashion - "As the world's most glamorous film festival celebrates its 75th anniversary, take a look back at decades of red carpet highlights."
• Cannes film festival 2019: an intriguing lineup, with big-name clout - "Asian auteurs show exciting new work, Céline Sciamma and Mati Diop bringing verve to the festival, seasoned directors from Almodóvar to Elia Suleiman add class, and it could all kick off with Maradona."
• Cannes Film Festival 2019: The best celebrity red carpet fashion - CNN style.
• Cannes film festival 2021 set for bumper year - "Wes Anderson and Paul Verhoeven among heavyweights facing off for Palme d’Or as Andrea Arnold doc gets long-awaited premiere."
• Cannes film festival 2021 signals industry reopening for business after pandemic - "The physical event is set to open on Tuesday with the premiere of Annette, as industry insiders breathe a sigh of relief."
• Cannes film festival not possible 'in original form’ - "The Cannes film festival will not take place 'in its original form' this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic."
• Cannes red carpet 2024 so far: from Naomi Campbell in 90s Chanel to Anya Taylor-Joy in Dior - in pictures - "Jane Fonda in an animal print coat, Lily Gladstone in Gucci and Chris Hemsworth in an old Hollywood jacket - there was a lot to enjoy on the Croisette this week."
• Clamour on the Croisette: Cannes film festival - in pictures - "The street photographer Andy Hall turns his lenses on the hustle and bustle - as well as contradictions - as movie world descends on the French Riviera city."
• Everything We Know So Far About the 2022 Oscars - "Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the biggest night in film."
• FIAPF | International Federation of Film Producers Associations - since 1933. Organization composed with 36 member associations from 30 of the leading audiovisual production countries. FIAPF is also in charge of regulating international film festivals, including some of the world's most important ones.
• FILM FESTIVAL - Wikipedia.
• It's the Oscars 2021 - but how many people have seen the main films? - "It's Hollywood's biggest night on Sunday - the Oscars - when stars are anointed and future classics crowned. Except this year the pandemic, and a longer-term trend away from mass-market movies, mean the nominated films have struggled to cut through."
• LIST OF FILM FESTIVALS - Wikipedia.
• Major film festivals to unite for YouTube event - "Major film festivals - including Berlin, Cannes, Toronto and Venice - are to join forces for an online event."
• Memorable Oscar Moments - IMDb.
• Monaco Streaming Film Festival partners with Net0 to become carbon neutral - "The Monaco Streaming Film Festival, taking place from May 31 to June 3, 2022 in Monaco, has announced Net0 as its sustainability partner. The collaboration between the Festival and the AI-powered carbon emissions management platform will enable the first-ever carbon neutral event of its kind in Monaco’s history."
• Oscar nominations 2021: See the full list of nominees
• Oscar Winners 2021: the complete List | 93rd Academy Awards - "Watch acceptance speeches from the Oscars 2021 winners!" Official Website.
• Oscars 2021: What can we expect for the ceremony? - "It's on - but will the 93rd Academy Awards look anything like the Oscar ceremonies movie fans have come to expect?"
• Pro-euthanasia film The Room Next Door wins top prize in Venice 2024 - "The feature film starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore took the prestigious Golden Lion award on Saturday."
• Saudi film festival is a ‘whitewash’ by authorities, say critics - "Gulf regime accused of using glamour of show business to distract attention from rights abuses within the country and beyond."
• Sundance film festival may have been Covid-19 incubator - "The Hollywood Reporter says numerous attendees returned from the late-January festival with coronavirus symptoms."
• The Vibe Will Be Different at This Year’s Oscars 2021 & That’s a Good Thing - TIME Magazine.
• Venice film festival 2021 week one roundup - serious firepower - "With big-hitters from returning heroes Jane Campion, Pedro Almodóvar and Paolo Sorrentino, plus an electrifying return from maverick Paul Schrader, it’s a heck of a starting bill at the Lido."
• Venice Film Festival 2022: The best fashion on show - "As the 79th installment of the Venice Film Festival continues this week, there's been no shortage of celebrity fashion moments thanks to premieres like Noah Baumbach's 'White Noise,' starring Greta Gerwig and Adam Driver, the buzzy 'Don't Worry Darling' directed by Olivia Wilde featuring Harry Styles and Florence Pugh, as well as 'Blonde' - Netflix's Marilyn Monroe biopic with Ana de Armas."
• Venice Film Festival: Is Hollywood self-destructing? - "With the release of Dune Part Two delayed, and many of the world's biggest stars not attending the Venice Film Festival, the impact of the actors and writers' strikes is really set to hit home this autumn, writes Leila Latif."
• Was this the worst night in Oscars fashion history? - "This week marks two decades since Hollywood served up one of its worst-received red carpets of all time. On a night of big wins for 'A Beautiful Mind' and the first 'Lord of the Rings,' 2002's Academy Awards were - in true Y2K style - awash with spaghetti straps, visible midriffs and shapeless eveningwear."
• What Makes a Movie the Greatest of All Time? - "The much-respected Sight and Sound poll of the best films ever shows that what is valued onscreen has changed over time, sometimes radically."
• What’s Going On With the 2022 Golden Globes? - "Once a fixture in the awards season calendar - the raucous party known for boosting the campaigns of Oscar hopefuls - the Golden Globes have become mired in controversy and will not be broadcast by NBC this year. From the criticisms leveled against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the small group of international journalists who vote on the awards) to the possibility of its return to screens in 2023, here’s what you need to know."
• Why are Cannes standing ovations so weirdly long? - "Along with the red carpet, sunburned film critics and warm rosé, awkwardly long standing ovations at premieres are one of the Cannes Film Festival's defining traditions."

Top 100 National & International Film Festivals

• 77th Cannes Film Festival 2024 - from May 14-25. Official site. Annual film festival held in Cannes, France since 1946, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is one of the most prestigious and publicised film festivals in the world. The invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France).
• 94TH OSCARS 2022 SHORTLISTS IN 10 AWARD CATEGORIES ANNOUNCED - "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced shortlists in 10 categories for the Oscars 2022: Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound and Visual Effects. Download shortlists by category here. Nominations voting begins on Thursday, January 27, 2022, and concludes on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide."
• ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES - since 1929. The Oscar statuette is officially named the Academy Award of Merit and is one of nine types of Academy Awards. Organized and overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the awards are given each year at a formal ceremony.
• Allora - "International Festival of Cinema Art and Music."
• Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival - film festival, held annually since 1963 in Antalya, and is the second most important film festival in Turkey.
• ASPEN FILMFEST - since 1979. "The festival will showcase top filmmaking from across the globe from September 21-26, 2021, taking place at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House and Metropolitan’s Isis Theatre and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale."
• Austin Film Festival | AFF - since 1994. The first organization of its kind to focus on writers’ creative contributions to film.
• Banff Mountain Film Festival - since 1976. International film competition and annual presentation of films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, environment and adventure & exploration.
• BERGMAN WEEK - annual event organized by the Bergmancenter on the small island Fårö in Sweden. Ingmar Bergman moved to the island in the 1960s and the Bergman Week is a celebration of his artistry, with films, lectures and conversations.
• Berlin International Film Festival | BERLINALE | INTERNATIONALE FILMFESTSPIELE BERLIN - founded in 1951. Berlin Film Festival. One of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. The festival has been held every February since 1978 and is one of the "Big Three" alongside the Venice Film Festival in Italy and the Cannes Film Festival in France. February 15-25, 2024.
• BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL - since 1956. "Discover the world of cinema with the BFI." An annual film festival founded in 1957 and held in the United Kingdom, running for two weeks in October with co-operation from the British Film Institute. It screens more than 300 films, documentaries and shorts from approximately 50 countries.
• Braunschweig International Film festival - since 1986.
• Busan International Film Festival - since 1996. Previously Pusan International Film Festival, PIFF), held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan (also Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festival, held from 13 to 21 September 1996, was also the first international film festival in Korea. The main focus of the BIFF is to introduce new films and first-time directors, especially those from Asian countries.
• Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) - annual internationally accredited film festival held in Cairo Opera House. It was established in 1976 and has taken place every year since its inception, except for 2011 and 2013, when it was cancelled due to budget limitations and political instability. It is the only international competitive feature film festival recognized by the FIAPF in the Arab world and Africa, as well as the oldest in this category.
• CANNES FILM FESTIVAL | FESTIVAL DE CANNES - since 1946. Among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals. The invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (1 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France).
• Copenhagen International Film Festival (CIFF) - was a film festival held annually in Copenhagen, Denmark from 2003 to 2008. The main prize, the Golden Swan, was awarded for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Script and Best Cinematography. In 2009, CIFF merged with the NatFilm Festival to become the CPH:PIX film festival.
• Copenhagen Jewish Film Festival - since 1998. Takes place every two years at the Danish Film Institute Cinemateque in Gothersgade, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Cork Film Festival - since 1956. Internationally recognised festival, particularly in the area of short films.
• CPH:DOX | COPENHAGEN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL - since 2003. International documentary film festival established in 2003 and held annually in Copenhagen, Denmark. CPH:DOX has grown steadily ever since to become one of the largest documentary film festivals in Europe with 70,100 admissions in 2013.
• CPH:PIX - since 2009. Annual, international feature film festival in Copenhagen focusing on emerging talents and artistic courage. CPH PIX is the result of the merging of the Copenhagen International Film Festival and the NatFilm Festival in 2008, which created the organisation Copenhagen Film Festivals. Copenhagen Film Festivals also manages the documentary festival CPH:DOX. The festival was founded by Jacob Neiiendam who administered the festival until the end of its 10th edition in 2018.
• Dam Short Film Festival - since 2005. Film festival held annually in Boulder City, Nevada, typically in early February.
• DEAUVILLE AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL - yearly film festival devoted to American cinema, which has taken place since 1975 in Deauville, France.
• Dingle International Film Festival - was a film festival held annually in March that took place between 2007 and 2019 in Dingle, Ireland. The family of iconic Hollywood actor Gregory Peck presented a career achievement award at the festival.
• Dubai International Film Festival | DIFF - leading film festival in the region. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region.
• Durban International Film Festival - since 1979. The largest film festival in Southern Africa.
• Edinburgh International Film Festival - established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival.
• Eurasia International Film Festival - since 1998. International film festival held in Kazakhstan. With the exception of the 5th edition, which was held in Astana, all the other editions were held in Almaty.
• EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL - "The European Film Festival is an annual event that showcases a selection of European films, giving local audiences a taste of Europe’s diversity and creativity. Films screened are recent and have encountered success in their country of origin. The films showcased in this festival may belong to a specific country, but they are all representative of Europe’s common cultural heritage. This film festival, now in its 30th year, is a window into the intriguing world of European cinema but also offers a platform to showcase films by young Singaporean film-makers."
• FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - genre film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996.
• Fantasporto - international film festival, annually organized since 1981 in Porto, Portugal. Giving screen space to fantasy/science fiction/horror-oriented commercial feature films, auteur films and experimental projects from all over the world.
• Fantastic Fest - since 2005. Annual film festival in Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
• Febiofest - since 2005. Prague International Film Festival - Febiofest is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and the second most prestigious festival in the country (after Karlovy Vary). The festival presents a wide spectrum of contemporary and retrospective examples of high-quality film including alternative, film-school and amateur works to a diverse viewing public.
• FESTIVAL DE CANNES - since 1946. The Cannes Festival (French: Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (Festival international du film) and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
• FILMFEST MUNICH - Munich International Film festival (German: Filmfest München) is the largest summer film festival in Germany and second only in size and importance to the Berlinale. It has been held annually since 1983 and takes place in late-June/early-July.
• FrightFest - since 2000. Also known as Arrow Video FrightFest is an annual film festival held in London and Glasgow. The festival holds three major events each year: a festival running five days over the UK late August Bank Holiday weekend, a Halloween event held in London in late October, and a festival in Glasgow held around February as part of the Glasgow Film Festival.
• GIFFONI FILM FESTIVAL - since 1971. The largest children’s film festival in Europe, and possibly the world.
• Glasgow Film Festival - since 2005. Annual film festival based in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Global Nonviolent Film Festival - since 2012. The most important and renowned international film festival of NONVIOLENT films. Global Nonviolent Film Festival showcases films that do NOT show gratuitous violence that lacks literary, artistic, or scientific value. Since 2012, over 500 films have been selected and 200 have been awarded. September 28 - October 8, 2023.
• Golden Horse Film Festival & Awards - since 1962. Film festival and awards ceremony held annually in Taiwan.
• Golden Knight Malta International Film Festival - "One of the longest running film festivals of its kind worldwide. It is a short film festival open to non-professional productions, film school students as well as commercial productions. It is held annually during the last week of November."
• Guadalajara International Film Festival - 1986. The festival is considered the most prestigious film festival in Latin America and among the most important Spanish language film festivals in the world.
• Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) - international film festival founded in 1992, by Joyce Robinson. The festival has since taken place every year in East Hampton, New York. It is usually an annual five-day event in mid-October and is held in theatre venues located in the Long Island area of New York, United States. Approximately 18,000 visitors attend each festival and close to a hundred films are featured each year.
• HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL - since 1997. Annual film festival which takes place in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Film Festival was created to make a connection between independent filmmakers and the global creative community.
• HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | HKIFF - one of Asia’s oldest international film festivals. Founded in 1976, the festival features different movies, filmmakers from different countries in Hong Kong. HKIFF screens around 230 films from more than 60 countries in different major cultural venues across the territory every year. New films are featured as gala premieres, with the directors and cast presenting on the red carpet and meet-and-greet sessions in theatres.
• IDFA | INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL AMSTERDAM - since 1988. "With a program of some 300 films, an audience of more than 200,000 and over 2,500 documentary professionals in attendance, IDFA is the largest celebration of the documentary genre in the world."
• INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM | IFFR - held at the end of January since 1972. Approximately comparable in size to other major European festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Locarno.
• International Istanbul Film Festival - since 1982.
• KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - since 1946. Flm festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival is one of the oldest in the world and has become Central and Eastern Europe's leading film event.
• KrakÓw Film Festival - since 1961. One of Europe's oldest events dedicated to documentary, animation and other short film forms.
• LAS VEGAS FILM FESTIVAL - "The Las Vegas Film Festival is a community of filmmakers and film-lovers drawn to the unique, curious and cultivating environment that is Las Vegas."
• Locarno International Film Festival - since 1946.
• LOS ANGELES JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL - "Celebrating the Jewish Experience Through Film."
• LumiÈre Film Festival - held in Lyon, France annually since October 2009.
• Mar del Plata International Film Festival - since 1954.
• Marrakech International Film Festival - since 2001. Africa's biggest film festival.
• MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - since 1951.
• Milwaukee FILM FESTIVAL - since 2009. Public film festival held each September and October in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Film Festival is the fifth largest film festival in the United States in terms of attendance, the number of films screened and festival length.
• Monaco International Film Festival - since 2003. Annual international special interest film festival. The festival focuses on non-violent films, screening films and productions from around the world, and awards are given in many categories. Its distinguished guests have included Dalai Lama. The festival's awards are called the Angel Film Awards. Monte-Carlo: December 9-12, 2022.
• Monaco Streaming Film Festival - since 2021. "The world of film and tv series is undergoing a revolution through the growth of Video on Demand Streaming. The Streaming Film Festival is unlike any other film festival, we are solely focused on VOD content. The Streaming Film Festival is a combined industry and public event designed to guide you through the new VOD world." Tuesday 31st May to Thursday 2nd June 2022 at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.
• MONTE-CARLO TELEVISION FESTIVAL - since 1961. Held every year in June in the Principality of Monaco at the Grimaldi Forum, under the Honorary Presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
• Montreal World Film Festival - since 1977. One of Canada's oldest international film festivals and the only competitive film festival in North America accredited by the FIAPF.
• Moscow International Film Festival | MIFF - held annually since 1995. The festival's top prize is the statue of Saint George slaying the dragon, as represented on the Coat of Arms of Moscow.
• MUMBAI International FILM FESTIVAL - "The Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films (MIFF) is a festival organized in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It was started in 1990, and focuses on documentary, short fiction and animation films."
• MUNICH FILMFEST - (German: Filmfest München) is the largest summer film festival in Germany and second only in size and importance to the Berlinale. It has been held annually since 1983 and takes place in late-June/early-July.
• NeuchÂtel International Fantastic Film Festival | NIFFF - since 2000. Swiss film festival dedicated to fantastic movies.
• New York Film Festival (NYFF) - since 1963. Film festival held every autumn in New York City, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center (FSLC). It is one of the longest-running and most prestigious film festivals in the United States.
• New York International Children's Film Festival - established in 1997, NYICFF’s mission is rooted in the belief of film as a path for young people to understand themselves and others. All programs are designed to celebrate the beauty and power of film, spark the inherent capacity of children to connect with complex, nuanced art, and encourage the creation of intelligent films that represent and celebrate unique, diverse, and historically excluded voices. NYICFF serves children, students, families, educators, filmmakers, and media arts professionals through its three core activities: the annual, Oscar-qualifying NYC film festival.
• One World Film Festival - since 1999. The largest human rights film festival in the world (125,947 spectators in 2018), held annually in Prague and other 36 cities of the Czech Republic, with a selection later shown in Brussels and other countries. The festival highlights quality documentary films on social, political, environmental, media and human rights issues. One World presents over a 100 documentary films from all around the globe and organizes numerous Q&As with filmmakers and experts.
• Palm Springs International Film Festival - since 1989. Held annually in January in Palm Springs, CA, U.S.A.
• Pordenone Silent Film Festival - since 1982. Annual festival of silent film held in October in Pordenone, northern Italy. It is the first, largest and most important international festival dedicated to silent film and also is present in the list of the top 50 unmissable film festivals in the world according to Variety.
• PORTOBELLO FILM FESTIVAL - since 1996. Independent international film festival based in London, which annually premiers over 700 new films, including features, shorts, documentaries, music films, and animation.
• Prague International Film Festival - since 2005. Febiofest is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and the second most prestigious festival in the country (after Karlovy Vary). The festival presents a wide spectrum of contemporary and retrospective examples of high-quality film including alternative, film-school and amateur works to a diverse viewing public.
• Pyongyang International Film Festival - since 1987. Biennial cultural exhibition held in Pyongyang, North Korea. The film festival is an unusually cosmopolitan event for a state known to be reclusive to outside (particularly Western) contact.
• Quentin Tarantino Film Festival - since 1997. Or QT-Fest, was a semi-annual film and multimedia event held by the Austin Film Society in Austin, Texas and attended by film director Quentin Tarantino, where he screened a selection of his favorite films using prints he owns.
• RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - independent film festival and film school that operates in major cities including London, Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Budapest, Berlin, and Brussels. The festival was established in 1992 by Elliot Grove to be the voice of British filmmaking, and it showcases features and shorts by filmmakers from around the world to an audience of film executives and buyers, journalists, film fans and filmmakers.
• Red Sea International Film Festival - film festival launched in 2019 and held in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. The festival mainly focuses on new storytelling trends, as well as emerging talents from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world and the rest of the Global South. The festival looks forwards establishing a solid foundation for the film industry in Saudi Arabia that may contribute to diversifying the income of the country. The first edition of the festival is being held in the old town of Jeddah from 6 December and will close on 15 December 2021.
• ReykjavÍk International Film Festival | RIFF - since 2004. International film festival held annually in Reykjavík, Iceland. The festival lasts 11 days each year and emphasizes young talents.
• ROME FILM FESTIVAL - since 2006. Takes place in Rome, Italy, during the month of October. Even though it is quite a young festival, the importance of the hosting city as well as the strong economic investment has placed the Rome Film Fest among the most important film festivals in the world, with huge media coverage and world-famous artists in attendance.
• San Diego International Film Festival (SDIFF) - since 2001. An independent film festival in San Diego, California produced by the non-profit San Diego Film Foundation. It is held annually in the autumn across two "villages" in the Gaslamp Quarter and La Jolla. The festival hosts celebrity awards banquets, panel discussions, retrospectives, parties, premieres and contemporary independent narrative, documentary and short film screenings. Competitive juried categories vary year to year and have included foreign language, animated, Native American, military, social justice, equestrian, thrillers and local films made in San Diego. The Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence has been presented by the family of San Diego native Gregory Peck at the festival since 2014.
• San Francisco International Film Festival | SFIFF - since 1957. "The longest-running film festival in the Americas, the San Francisco International Film Festival is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and a major cultural event in the Bay Area." Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, is held each spring for two weeks, presenting around 200 films from over 50 countries. The festival highlights current trends in international film and video production with an emphasis on work that has not yet secured U.S. distribution.
• San Francisco Silent Film Festival - film festival first held in 1996 and presented annually every July at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. It is the largest silent film festival in the United States, although the largest silent film festival in the world remains the Giornate del cinema muto in Pordenone, northern Italy.
• San Luis Obispo International film festival | SLOIFF - founded in 1993.
• San SebastiÁn International Film Festival (SSIFF) - since its creation in 1953 it has established itself as one of the 14 "A" category competitive festivals accredited by the FIAPF, of which it has one of the lowest budgets. It has hosted several important events of the history of cinema, such as the international premieres of Vertigo, by Alfred Hitchcock (who attended the Festival) and the European premiere of Star Wars. It was the first festival attended by Roman Polanski and has helped advance the professional careers of filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola, Bong Joon-ho and Pedro Almodóvar.
• SANTA BARBARA FILM FESTIVAL | SBIFF - established 1985. Showcases independent American and international films.
• Shanghai International Film Festival - since 1993. One of the largest film festivals in East Asia. "China's biggest film festival" according to the Hollywood Reporter. Next to Tokyo International Film Festival, the SIFF is considered by many to be the second biggest film festival in Asia.
• Sonoma International Film Festival - American film festival that began in 1997. It takes place each April in the Sonoma Valley of California and is hosted by the Sonoma International Film Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
• SITGES FILM FESTIVAL - since 1968. "International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia is the number one fantasy film festival in the world, both for its seniority and for its media and industrial impact." With a solid track record, the event offers in the fantastic cinema from around the world a stimulating framework for meetings, exhibitions, presentations, and projections. Born in 1968 as the 1st International Week of Fantasy and Horror Movies, today the Festival is an essential rendezvous for movie lovers and audiences eager to come into contact with new tendencies and technologies applied to horror and fantastic film cinema.
• Stanley Film Festival - was a horror film festival located in Estes Park, Colorado. Founded in 2013, the festival showcased independent horror films, including features, shorts and special events with guest filmmakers. The festival was named for the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park where it is held, a neo-Georgian hotel that was the inspiration and setting of Stephen King's horror novel The Shining. The festival also held a student film competition titled, The Stanley Dean's Cup.
• Stockholm International Film Festival - "Stockholm International Film Festival started in 1990 and is one of the leading film festivals in Europe. During twelve intense days in November the festival presents 150 film premieres from more than 60 countries. In 2020, 75 films were screened in cinemas and via the festival’s digital platform, due to the current pandemic. We also arrange exclusive screenings for our members throughout the year, Sommarbio in August, mobile film workshops for kids and teenagers, Stockholm Film Festival Junior in April and Secret Locations Screenings. The festival is visited by hundreds of filmmakers and since its inception celebrities like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Ken Loach, Francois Ozon, David Cronenberg, Uma Thurman, Ava DuVernay, Ethan and Joel Coen, Charlotte Rampling, Andrea Arnold, Pablo Larrain, Celine Sciamma, Claire Denis and Quentin Tarantino have visited the festival and met the audience at the cinemas."
• SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - since 1978. The Sundance Film Festival (formerly Utah/US Film Festival, then US Film and Video Festival) is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with more than 46,660 attending in 2016. It takes place each January in Park City, Utah, Salt Lake City, and at the Sundance Resort (a ski resort near Provo, Utah), and acts as a showcase for new work from American and international independent filmmakers. The festival consists of competitive sections for American and international dramatic and documentary films, both feature films and short films, and a group of out-of-competition sections, including NEXT, New Frontier, Spotlight, Midnight, Sundance Kids, From the Collection, Premieres, and Documentary Premieres.
• SXSW | South by Southwest - since 1987. "The SXSW Film Festival celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent from behind and in front of the camera. Featuring provocative dramas, documentaries, comedies, genre standouts and more, the festival is known for its high caliber and diverse program and its smart, enthusiastic audiences." Set of film, interactive, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring (usually in March) in Austin, Texas, United States. March 11-19, 2022.
• Sydney Film Festival - since 1954. Annual film festival held in Sydney, usually over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, films for families and animations.
• Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | PÖFF - since 1997. Annual film festival held since 1997 in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. PÖFF is the only festival in Northern Europe or the Baltic region with a FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Association) accreditation for holding an International Competitive Feature Film Program, which places it alongside 14 other non-specialised competitive world festivals including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Warsaw, and San Sebastian. With over 250 feature-length and over 250 short films and animations from 80 countries (2018) screened, and an attendance of over 80,000 (2018), PÖFF is the one of the largest film festivals in Northern Europe.
• Taormina Film Fest (TFF) - historic film festival, and Italy's oldest began in 1955. The exhibition, which moved permanently to Taormina in 1971, has hosted over the years many stars of international cinema: Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Sophia Loren, Cary Grant, Robert De Niro, Colin Firth, Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Tom Cruise, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas, among others. The award is the Nastro d'Argento in Italian cinema (Silver Ribbon).
• TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL - in April 2010, Turner Classic Movies held the first TCM Classic Film Festival, an event - now held annually - at the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Grauman's Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.
• TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL - since 1974. "The Show is Telluride Film Festival. It happens every Labor Day Weekend in the Telluride mountains and has for almost 40 years and it usually sells out. With more than 50 programs screened during the festival weekend and the most popular repeating at different venues, Telluride Film offers an experience to be remembered. Choices exist to meet the budgets and interests of all." There is an informal tradition that new films must be shown for the first time in North America to be eligible for the festival. The insistence on premieres has led to Telluride's being associated with the discovery of a number of important new films and filmmakers.
• THE OSCARS - since 1929. The Oscar statuette is officially named the Academy Award of Merit and is one of nine types of Academy Awards. Organized and overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the awards are given each year at a formal ceremony.
• Tokyo International Film Festival - since 1985. Along with the Shanghai International Film Festival, it is one of Asia's competitive film festivals.
• TORONTO INTERNATINAL FILM FESTIVAL | TIFF - since 1976. The leading public film festival in the world, screening more than 300 films from 60+ countries every September.
• TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL - since 2002. Annual film festival organized by Tribeca Productions. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, episodic, talks, music, games, art, and immersive programming. Tribeca was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2002 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Each year the festival hosts over 600 screenings with approximately 150,000 attendees, and awards independent artists in 23 juried competitive categories.
• Un Certain Regard - section of the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. It is run at the salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or. This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob. The name literally means "a certain glance" but is understood by French speakers to mean "from another point of view." Here it means films with various types of visions and styles, which tell their stories in nontraditional ways. This section presents 20 "original and different" works which seek international recognition.
• Valladolid International Film Festival - (also known as Seminci or Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid) is a film festival held annually in Valladolid, Spain since 1956.
• 80th VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA - (Italian: Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia). The oldest international film festival in the world, founded in 1932. Takes place once every two years (in odd years) in Venice at the Venice Cinema Palace on Lido Island, Italy. It will take place at Venice Lido from 30 August to 9 September, 2023.
• Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) - annual film festival that has been held in Zürich, Switzerland, since 2005. The festival's main focus is to promote emerging filmmakers from all over the world. In three competition categories only first, second or third directoral works are admitted. There are three competition sections: International Feature Film, International Documentary Film and 'Focus: Switzerland, Germany and Austria' which focuses on these three production countries.