Geekery: The World’s Biggest Film Festivals Go Digital – For Free
Film festivals bring people together to share stories and experience the world on the big screen; sadly, they’re just not possible right now. A group of major events has banded together to create a digital experience – the Through We Are One: A Global Film Festival. A select number of films will be curated and make them available to the average joe via YouTube.
The 10-day global film festival will run from this Friday May 29 – June 7. All funds raised during the festival will benefit COVID-19 relief funds via the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as local relief partners in each region.
The festival will feature programming curated by:
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival
- Berlin International Film Festival
- BFI London Film Festival
- Cannes Film Festival
- Guadalajara International Film Festival
- International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM)
- Jerusalem Film Festival
- Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI)
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
- Locarno Film Festival
- Marrakech International Film Festival
- New York Film Festival
- Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR)
- San Sebastian International Film Festival
- Sarajevo Film Festival
- Sundance Film Festival
- Sydney Film Festival
- Tokyo International Film Festival
- Toronto International Film Festival
- Tribeca Film Festival
- Venice Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal, who is organizing the event along with YouTube, had this to say about the opportunity going digital provides.
“We often talk about film’s uniquely powerful role in inspiring and uniting people across borders and differences to help heal the world. All of the world needs healing right now. We Are One: A Global Film Festival unites curators, artists, and storytellers to entertain and provide relief to audiences worldwide. In working with our extraordinary festival partners and YouTube we hope that everyone gets a taste of what makes each festival so unique and appreciates the art and power of film.”
The economic and creative loss that comes with these film festivals not being held is great, but I can’t help but feel excited to see films I wouldn’t have easy access to otherwise. These digital festivals make international and small release films available to those that can’t afford to go to Sundance, Tribeca, Venice, or Cannes; or don’t have an arts theater near them. I hope we continue to see at least a small number of digital releases from festivals when it’s safe to gather in groups again.
Subscribe to the festival’s YouTube channel for the latest information on film, talks, and schedule.
