Have you ever wondered how some of the films we end up talking about during award season find their way to the big screen? We are taking you on a little journey to discover the realms of film festivals and how they came to be. Especially with Venice coming up and the Berlinale being right around the corner.
In this dive we embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the history of three iconic film festivals: Venice, Cannes, and Berlin. Belonging to the big five (Sundance, the Berlinale, Cannes and TIFF) – although this article will concentrate on the beginnings and the “original three” as one could say.
These festivals have not only shaped the course of cinema but have also become cultural phenomena, attracting filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles from all around the globe.
The Venice Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia) is the world’s oldest film festival. Established in 1932 and founded by Giuseppe Volpi, actually a member of the National Fascist Party.
Maybe you have heard of the name ‘The Biennale’ in venice. A huge celebration of art that brings people from all over the world to venice. The film festival is a relatively new-ish discipline at the Biennale.Considering that they started in 1983 as one of the world’s oldest exhibitions of art. The Biennale offers various disciplines such as architecture, dance, music, theater and cinema.
Each film is categorized in different sections. The well known section and the one some of you may have heard of Is the competition for the golden lion. The highest price a film can receive at the venice film festival. This year in competition we can await films like Bradley Coopers “Maestro”, David Finchers ‘the Killer’ Sofia Coppolas Priscilla or the new film by Hamaguchi Ryusuke who gained a lot of international attention with his recent oscar win for “drive my car”.
The festival is held annually in late August or early September on the tiny island of Lido in the Venice Lagoon. This year the city holds its 80th film festival. Starting from August 30th up until September 9.
Berlinale
The Berlin International Film Festival, or more commonly known as Berlinale, is not just another festival: after emerging in 1951 (amidst the Cold War tensions), it has transformed into one of the largest and most politically charged film festivals in the world. With a budget of approximately 32.3 million Euros, drawing in nearly 448,000 attendees from around the globe, the festival provides a rich platform for innovation. It also celebrates artistic expression and cultural diversity by pressing social issues through the lens of filmmaking.
More than 200 films are showcased every year, covering a wide range of different genres and formats, from thought-provoking documentaries to experimental pieces. Through discussions, panels, and events, the Berlinale also encourages interaction and engagement between filmmakers and the audience.
Looking forward, the Berlinale strives for a more sustainable path, aiming to optimize its impact by narrowing down its film selection.
The festival is held every February in Berlin. The next dates are set for February 15-25, 2024.
Cannes Film Festival
Established in 1946 (though its roots trace back to 1938), the Cannes Film Festival is known as “the world’s most prestigious, most media-covered and recognized” film competitions in the world. It originally was established as a response to the Venice Film Festival, to create a unique and apolitical space where filmmakers could freely showcase their cinematic creations to the world.
Over the last 75 years, Cannes has grown into a symbol of cinematic excellence, reflecting on the evolution of the industry, its ever-changing narratives, styles and visions and with staggering 80,000 visitors, 5,000 screenings, and representing almost 90 countries, the festival is a global phenomenon.
While the red carpet and flashing cameras often steal the spotlight, it’s the Palme d’Or that is the crowning jewel of the festival, over which 200 films compete every year. This prestigious award is the crème de la crème of competing films, for example “Pulp Fiction” and “La Dolce Vita”.
The 77th edition of the festival will be held next year on the 14th-25th of May.