Film Festivals - North America
Film festivals are popping up all over the country
and the variety is tremendous. From coast to coast you can sample everything
from the off-beat to the artsy, international and short films, hip hop to film
noir, the unusual and the unexpected.
There is so much variety in film that the local cinema could not possibly
provide an outlet for all there is to see. You need to check out the film
festivals, and chances are there is one in your hometown, to discover the gems,
the new talent, and new faces behind a medium that is defining the culture of
the world today.
The first place to start would be
Film Festivals.com,
where you can find listings by city, festival and films. Be sure to check film
festival information carefully, because not all festivals are open to the
public, however most are. Also, confirm ticket availability and prices.
The Aspen Film Festival
is host to special guest speakers like Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates. Aspen Academy
screenings run through the month of December and feature films nominated by the
Academy, while the Aspen Shortsfest features an international selection of
notable short films. The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation sponsor this
festival along with Chopard, Cadillac, Kodak, and local retailers and
businesses. Aspen provides the glamorous backdrop for a film festival event.
The Los Angeles
International Shorts Festival features short films from around the world and
panel discussions with industry insiders, from HBO and Working Title Films, just
to name a few. After hours, the star power comes out to party. As an avid film
enthusiast or as a budding filmmaker, this looks like a great time.
The Sundance Film Festival
is a great see and be seen destination for those in the film business. The
celebrity parties are legend and Park City, Utah comes alive during this time.
Workshops and panels are a huge draw. Where better to cut your teeth than at
Sundance?
The Tribeca and
Tribeca
Underground Film Festival and the now classic Tribeca Drive-In within the
North Cove of the World Financial Center is a free public event in the middle of
New York City. Combining “urban chic” and nostalgia, enjoy film under the stars
in a state-of-the-art facility. You can party with the stars in New York’s uber
hip Tribeca. Tribeca Underground screenings are free to the public and feature
shorts from around the world. You will be able to meet some of the directors,
producers and actors and participate in a question and answer segment after the
film is presented.
In the Mid-West? Try the
Cleveland International Film Festival. Ohio’s premier film event features
films from over 40 countries and six continents. Since 1977, the CFF has been
featuring visiting directors, panel discussions, and student screenings.
The Telluride
Film Festival is set among the beautiful landscape that is Telluride,
Colorado. The self proclaimed “crowned jewel” of film festivals is also the most
exclusive because it is difficult to get into, it charges the press and it gets
some of the best filmmakers in the world. This scene is for the ambitious and
the talented.
The Chicago
International Film Festival has been honoring great filmmaking and hosting
international offerings for five decades. Free summer screenings, panel
discussions and field trips are just a few of the events offered here.
Filmmakers take note: the Outreach education program is a big part of this
festival and you can be sure that some of the best talent and exciting new films
can be seen here.
The Los Angeles Film
Festival has tremendous offerings for a filmmaker at any stage of his
career. From financing and funding to marketing and distribution, there is a
forum addressing every issue facing a silver screen contender. Visit the website
for dates and film selections. There is so much here to do, and the after hours
events are the best that Tinsel Town has to offer. Check for free screenings and
family events, as well.
The Miami
International Film Festival is a cultural film Mecca. Multi-cultural Miami
is home to a wealth of talent and influence from the Latin American community,
as well as from all over the world. The festival has grown huge within the last
few years and is attracting filmmakers and directors from every realm. Panel
discussions address financing and distribution issues and also offer outreach to
the Hispanic filmmaking community.
The Palm Springs
International Film Festival offers a Short Film Festival integrated with
panel discussions, seminars, and workshops offering help to filmmakers in every
aspect of the business. A fine selection of films and international award
winners is offered at this desert film fest.
The Montreal Film Festival
is home to the World Film Festival. This festival features an outdoor venue
which offers “cinema under the stars”. See classics and box office blockbusters
and an array of international works after the sun goes down. A variety of
conferences and symposiums are offered in between screenings. Be sure to check
schedules and ticket prices; special packages are offered.
Toronto is home to the
Reel World Film
Festival. Toronto has become the hot spot, “go to” film festival within the
filmmaking community. The hottest parties and big celebrity sightings are to be
found here. Toronto is also home to a variety of film festivals, including the
Fantasy World Wide International
Film Festival and the
Cinema of Jazz. There is, without a doubt, a huge variety of activity and
entertainment in Toronto at film festival time. Refer to schedules and be sure
not to miss your favorite event or party.
The Nantucket
Film Festival is host to films of all genres from all over the world. For
filmmakers submitting work, there is a keen eye for great screen writing.
Featured events include ” Morning Coffee with…," which is an opportunity to meet
with talent of note and enjoy a morning coffee chat. Past hosts have included
Rosie Perez, Jerry Stiller, Tina Fey, Mos Def, and Paul Rudd, among others. An
“In Their Shoes” series of panel discussions presents attending filmmakers,
writers and directors who discuss the “nuts and bolts” of filmmaking.
Cine Vegas Film Festival,
“The world’s most dangerous film festival." Would you expect anything less from
Las Vegas? Although only six years in the running, the Cine Vegas Film Festival
is quickly building momentum on the film festival circuit. Las Vegas attracts
major star power and promises to be a major event.
The Jackson Hole Film Festival
has a great schedule of events from a Casino night to wine tasting. The festival
has a free outdoor film series, Movies on the Mountain. This five-day festival
offers a student program and sports/action program, as well as a Global
Awareness program which addresses humanitarian and environmental concerns. This
festival has big plans for expansion with its World program in hoping to create
a network of festivals and production companies that foster filmmaking all over
the world.
An eclectic mix of film can be found at the
San Francisco
International Film Festival. A variety of short and full length films from
all over the world can be viewed amid live musical performances and parties.
Venues throughout the city offer screenings and an opening night Gala Party
sponsored by Remy Martin kicks off the event.
The Vail Film Festival
is a prestigious event which features the best that film festivals have to
offer. The Oscar Shorts Showcase is just one feature at the festival which also
includes action/sports films, student films, documentaries, and full length
features. Panel discussions and a screenwriting program are just a few of the
offerings at the Vail Film Festival. The party line-up allows you the chance to
rub elbows with actors and filmmakers at the exclusive festival galas and to
participate in lively Q&A sessions and panel discussions.
The Reel Women International Film
Festival in Hollywood was established to help emerging female filmmakers by
providing a forum for exposure to the filmmaking community and the film-going
public. There are monthly screening mixers which raise funds and screenings that
are followed by question and answer sessions. Check out the website for a
schedule of events and screening times.
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