The independent film festival.

Festival de Cannes

The spirit of the Festival de Cannes is one of friendship and universal cooperation. Its aim is to reveal and focus attention on works of quality in order to contribute to the progress of the motion picture arts and to encourage the development of the film industry throughout the world.

More widely known as the "Festival de Cannes", the Association Française du Festival International du Film, created in 1946, is a French association under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, state-approved in 1972.

Toronto International Film Festival

Starting out in 1976 as a collection of films from other festivals -- a 'festival of festivals', the Toronto International Film Festival has become one of the most successful cinematic events in the world, universally regarded as an ideal platform to premiere films. Boasting a public eager for the best in contemporary film, as well as international attention from media, distributors, producers, and buyers along with a galaxy of stars, the Toronto International Film Festival is considered the premiere film festival in North America.

Sundance Film Festival

In 1981 Robert Redford gathered a group of colleagues and friends at Sundance, Utah to discuss new ways to enhance the artistic vitality of the American film. The result was the establishment of the Sundance Institute, dedicated to the support and development of emerging screenwriters and directors of vision, and to the national and international exhibition of new, independent dramatic and documentary films.

Since that beginning twenty years ago, the Sundance Institute has expanded its scope to include a range of programs that reflect the original mission of nurturing developing artists in a variety of disciplines and encouraging the independent spirit in both artists and their projects.

Montreal World Film Festival

The Montreal World Film Festival will be held from August 27 to September 7, 2003. The different sections of the Festival have been reorganized in order to better reflect its vocation as "World Film Festival". Toward this end the Festival will present the "World Competition" and the following sections "Cinema of Europe". "Cinema of the Americas" (divided in 3 sub-sections: Panorama Canada, Cinema of the U.S.A., Latin American Cinema), "Cinema of Asia", "Cinema of Africa", "Cinema of Oceania", "Documentaries of the world".

The Festival is open to all cinema trends. The eclectic aspect of its programming makes the Festival exciting for the growing number of participants from the five continents. Every year, films from more than seventy countries, including well known and first-time filmmakers alike, are selected. Many films have been discovered in Montreal.

Berlin International Film Festival

Seattle International Film Festival

Cinema Seattle seeks to provide an extensive forum for multicultural exchange and enlightenment, providing ongoing access to the cinematic arts for people of the Pacific Northwest.

SIFF brings unique films from every corner of the globe to Northwest filmgoers. The festival includes gala premieres, new films from first-time and well-know directors, sneak previews, and special archival programs. Our audiences see many films months before they reach general distribution and many that will never be screened here again.

Tribeca Film Festival

In 2002, the Tribeca Film Institute successfully launched the First Annual Tribeca Film Festival. Created by Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro, the mission of the Tribeca Film Festival is to enable the international film community and the general public to experience the power of film by redefining the film festival experience. The Tribeca Film Festival was founded to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking center and to contribute to the long-term recovery of lower Manhattan.

After only 120 days of planning and with the help of over 1,300 volunteers, the inaugural Festival became a critical and popular success. It was attended by more than 150,000 people, generated more than $10.4 million in revenues for local Tribeca merchants, and featured several up-and-coming filmmakers. The festival included juried narrative, documentary and short film competitions; a Restored Classics series; a Best of New York series curated by Martin Scorsese; 13 major panel discussions; an all-day Family Festival; and the premieres of studio films Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, About A Boy, Insomnia, and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

The most significant annual film event in Central and Eastern Europe, founded in 1946.

Recognized by FIAPF as a "non-specialized festival with a feature film competition." (Category A)

Its concept takes advantage of the Czech Republic’s geopolitical location at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe.

A venue where the lay and professional public can meet and enjoy high quality films made during the past year all around the world.

Famous for its young, enthusiastic audience which generates the festival’s exceptional atmosphere.

A relaxed environment where the film professionals are acquainted with new projects and promising new filmmakers.

International Film Festival Rotterdam

Hollywood Film Festival

The Hollywood Film Festival®, Hollywood Discovery Awards®, and Hollywood Movie Awards® were created to bridge the gap between Hollywood and the global creative community, while at the same time honoring established Hollywood professionals.

Filmmakers compete for the Hollywood Film Discovery Awards®. The winners are chosen by a jury of entertainment industry professionals and will be announced at the Hollywood Movie Awards® Gala Ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, October 20, 2003. For the 2002 winners, click here.

The Hollywood Film Festival® and the Hollywood Movie Awards™ are supported by the leaders of the State and City as well as the established Hollywood community. The Hollywood Film Festival® is endorsed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles.

Worldwide Short Film Festival

Shorts are unique in the world of filmmaking. While it is difficult enough squeezing everything you want to say into a feature film, imagine trying to convey your idea in a short film. Yet, this challenge often pushes filmmakers to create cinematic gems that are captivating, funny, provocative and dramatic.

Whether it’s a 90-minute feature film or a nine-minute short, it all comes down to one thing – telling a great story. There are hundreds of amazing stories in this year’s festival and I hope that you will discover for yourself, the many talented filmmakers from Canada and around the world.

- Norman Jewison

Venezia Film Festival

The 59th Venice Film Festival directed by Moritz de Hadeln will be in the same time a classical event and also a modern one. The new director that in the past was at Berlin Festival has in fact spoken for the first time about his show and he said his plan: "stop with the experiments, the golden lion this year will be only one". And then: "I love the American movies and in my opinion a great film festival can't exist without movies from Usa and without stars". What are the other novelties of the festival that will start on August 29th and will finish on September 8th? "There will be not the section called Cinema del Presente (the present cinema) anymore because in my opinion the official section isn't a section of the... past! And then I want to re-launch the short movies: without making a special section (it was called Corto Cortissimo in the past) but showing them before the official ones. The 59th Venice Film Festival will have also two retrospective exhibitions that will be dedicated to a great Italian 'Maestro', Michelangelo Antonioni that in 2002 is 90, and to the East (especially Soviet Union) movies. Now it's still early for knowing the movies that will be present at the festival directed by de Hadeln but he already has some ideas. The awaited 'Pinocchio' by the oscar Roberto Benigni, for example. It will be in Venice next September? "It's very difficult that Benigni will finish his work for September - said de Hadeln - but we hope. It should be fantastic!" The same situation is for 'Gangs of New York' by Martin Scorsese, a movie director that loves very much Venice and its festival. The commission that chooses the movies for the festival is already working and everybody thinks that this 59th festival will be more American than the past ones.

Moscow International Film Festival

For the first time the Moscow Film Festival was held in 1935. Essentially a different festival was renewed in 1959 and was held every odd year. Grand Prizes and Golden Prizes were awarded at different times (it must be noted that gold medals of 1959-1967 should not be equaled to golden prizes of 1969-1987 which were truly principal prizes by definition). Silver medals and prizes, special prizes and beginning since 1989 the statues of Golden Saint George and Silver Saint George were also awarded. The lists offer the updated film titles (original and promotional), countries of origin as well as the names of the filmmakers who won different prizes.

South By Southwest Film Festival

South by Southwest (SXSW, Inc.) is a private company based in Austin, Texas, with a year-round staff of professionals dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals. Since 1987, SXSW has produced the internationally recognized Music and Media Conference & Festival.

As the entertainment business adjusted to issues of future growth and development, in 1993, SXSW added conferences and festivals for the film industry (SXSW Film) as well as for the blossoming interactive media (SXSW Interactive Festival). Now three industry events converge in Austin during a Texas-sized week, mirroring the ever increasing convergence of entertainment/media outlets.

San Sebastian International Film Festival

Conceived as an International Film Week for the purpose of screening and marketing films, it was not long before the IFFPA granted it B status (non-competitive), thanks to the success of its first edition. A year later it was called the International Film Festival, and in 1955 the IFFPA recognised the festival as competitive, specialising in colour films. In other words, it could now grant official prizes. This marked the emergence of the "Concha", or shell - at the time only awarded in silver - determined by an international jury.

In 1957 the festival was granted "A" status and the Shell awarded in the main categories turned to gold. The festival symbols became increasingly recognisable, as did the direction the festival was aiming for and still strives for to this day. That is, a tendency towards liberalisation, shying away from the corseted censorship of the past, still alive today. The festival's primordial role is to serve as a showcase for each year's most disquieting and innovative films.

Palm Springs International Film Festivals

Founded in 1990 by Mayor (later Member of Congress) Sonny Bono, the PSIFF is one of the largest film festivals in North America. The festival has an attractive film sales and distribution record and is seen by American distributors as one of the best Academy Award campaign marketing tools. Gideon Bachmann of the European Film Institute calls Palm Springs “a serious film consumer’s paradise – a festival for the people”. Steven Gaydos of Variety says Palm Springs is “serving up free-swinging cinema of idea and energies … to audiences hungry for alternatives . . .”

The PSIFF is the festival to attend to see the Golden Globe or Oscar® winner, starting with 1990’s CINEMA PARADISO and continuing through 2002’s NO MAN’S LAND. But easily the most exciting aspect of the festival is its enthusiastic, sophisticated audience. From ages 5 to 105, the festival brings together communities as diverse as the retired citizens of the desert, the young, hip industry crowd of Los Angeles and film aficionados from around the world. The 14th annual Nortel Networks Palm Springs International Film Festival will sparkle with thought-provoking, funny, insightful, entertaining films, events and many other explorations of the art of cinema.

IFP Los Angeles Film Festival

The IFP Los Angeles Film Festival, held annually for ten days in June, showcases the best of American and International independent cinema. With an attendance of over 40,000, the festival screens over 200 narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos. Now in its ninth year, with a $50,000 cash prize for Best Narrative Feature, and a $25,000 cash prize for Best Documentary, funded by Target Stores, the festival has grown into a world-class event, uniting new filmmakers with critics, scholars, film masters, and the movie-loving public.

Telluride Film Festival

Each Labor Day weekend, the tiny mountain village of Telluride, Colorado
triples in size. Swells of passionate film enthusiasts flood the town for four days of total cinematic immersion, embarking on a viewing odyssey, blissfully spending entire days in flickering dark rooms. With only an appreciation of celluloid to guide them, these devotees flock to the show, year after year. Why? Blind faith. We don’t reveal the program until everyone lands in town. Yet the Telluride family trusts that a unique experience will unfold.

The Telluride Film Festival is not just a picture show. It is tributes to luminaries who’ve pushed the medium forward; it is discussions with a film’s creator or the historian who champions it; it is running into filmmaker guests and sharing your thoughts; it is engaging in lively debate with a fellow passholder on the street or in line. Our audiences were the first in the world to partake of MY DINNER WITH ANDRE, to visit TWIN PEAKS, to witness THE CIVIL WAR and to learn the secret of THE CRYING GAME. We resurrected the silent epic NAPOLEON, and highlighted the genius of animator Chuck Jones.

We take great pains to remain not a competition, but a celebration of the best in film -- past, present and future -- from all around the world. One weekend immersed in an unabashed carnival of film: viewing, breathing, eating, and talking cinema. Or, as we like to call it: The Show.

Aspen FilmFest

The Aspen Filmfest mission is to enlighten, enrich, educate and entertain through film. We stimulate thought, encourage dialogue, and broaden understanding of our world and ourselves through the diverse spectrum of ideas presented by filmmakers worldwide.

From inspirational to absorbing to quirky and offbeat, Aspen Filmfest annually brings more than 100 terrific features, documentaries, and shorts, as well as nearly that many filmmakers and special guests from all corners of the globe to this culturally vital mountain region. By creating unforgettable film experiences in the theater, classroom, and beyond, we seek to entertain and engage. Our eclectic programming is designed to deepen appreciation of the art of film and its unique power to inspire and communicate a world of ideas, cultures, and imagination.

Nashville Film Festival

The Nashville Film Festival (NFF) was founded in 1969 and is one of the longest running film festivals in the country. Hosted by Regal Cinemas 16 in the Green Hills area of Nashville, Tennessee, the NFF has enjoyed double-digit growth in the past five years. With over 14,500 people attending last year's event, it is rapidly becoming the arts event in Tennessee.

Each year, the NFF receives submissions of over 1,000 features, documentaries, shorts, animated works, experimental film and children's films. Over 200 top entries from all genre's (including comedies) are selected for the competition and shown on four state-of-the-art screens throughout the event. The NFF may represent the only opportunity to see these films in a theater in the Nashville area.

Washington DC Independent Film Festival

The DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) is a yearly event where industry professionals and the general public can see the latest, most exciting independent films - whether feature, short, animation or documentary - from the United States and abroad. It is an opportunity for local, national & foreign independent filmmakers to compete in the DC area. DCIFF promotes and supports independent film through its film festival and organizes events throughout the year. In addition, an independent company, DCIFM organizes the DC Independent Film Market and Trade Show in collaboration with/at the same time than the festival.

London Film Festival

The Times bfi London Film Festival, will take place this year at the earlier dates of October 22 to November 6, 2003. Presented by the British Film Institute, The Times bfi London Film Festival is Europe’s largest public film event and now in its 47th year.

ValleyFest Independent Film Festival

Euphoric Productions, Inc., a film and video production company in Knoxville, TN, established Valleyfest in 1999 with the specific mission of providing an opportunity for independent filmmakers to showcase their undistributed works. The festival is held over a four-day period beginning with our Kickoff Party of food, drink and live music then culminating with our Awards Ceremony the last evening. There are workshops conducted by renowned speakers and of course, a four-day schedule of films competing in seven different categories. Valleyfest is an international festival, attracting film submissions from around the world. As a salute to our region opening day of Valleyfest will show Tennessee films only.

AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival

In addition to work by emerging filmmakers worldwide, AFI FEST also has presented the US or World Premieres of many acclaimed films, including AMORES PERROS, ANTWONE FISHER, ARARAT, BEFORE NIGHT FALLS, CITY OF GOD, IN THE BEDROOM, MONSTER'S BALL, NO MAN'S LAND, THE QUIET AMERICAN, SWEET SIXTEEN, TALK TO HER and YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, among many others.

AFI FEST is committed to providing filmmakers with the opportunity to garner an award for their work. AFI FEST 2002 award winners received prizes and in-kind services valued at more than $75,000.

AFI FEST 2003 (November 6-16) will feature over 140 films through an International Competition of first- and second-time filmmakers, as well as through ambitious regional showcases of international cinema: Asian New Classics, European Film Showcase, Latin Cinema Series and American Directions. AFI FEST 2003 will also continue its traditions of Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night Premieres, along with the highly anticipated Tribute and Retrospective.

Ft. Lauderdale International Film Fest

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival presents the most compelling and thought-provoking international films, host special tributes and seminars and introduces some of the greatest talents to South Florida audiences. The 37-day festival screens over 100 films from Boca Raton to Miami and is the longest film festival in the world.

Considered one of the most important regional film festivals in the U.S., the Festival's commitment to first-time filmmakers and innovative programming make it the perfect test market for filmmakers. One of seven Vital Local Cultural Institutions of Florida and the 5th Major Cultural Institution of Broward County, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is a non-profit cultural institution.

Bumbershoot 1 Reel Film Festival

The 1 Reel Film Festival at Bumbershoot presents over 100 of the hottest new American-made short films - including documentaries, animation, live-action, music video and video poems. Each film is programmed into a thematic package and the movies run non-stop each festival day.

Since its introduction to Bumbershoot in 1996, the 1 Reel Film Festival has grown in popularity and notoriety. Hundreds of filmmakers and industry folks flock to Bumbershoot each year to screen the best in contemporary cinema and to chat with the audience after the screening of their films. Thousands more film fans take in every frame at 1 Reel and help make this the best-attended short film fest in the world.

Deauville American Film Festival

Locarno International Film Festival