World Film Festivals
If there is one thing that 2020 has taught us it is to never miss not only a plan B, but a series of emergency scenarios just in case. We learned to do so many things in 2020 (not just bread) and the film festival industry has geared up (except for SXSW, Tribeca, Cannes and Telluride which they canceled) to move their editions online or make a mix of digital and physical. Venice was one of the very few film festivals to have kept the appointment in person, with a safe and spaced edition. But it was early September and the contagion curve was close to very low levels after the summer.
Without festival, by the way, many films could not have their premieres, or have been postponed. One example is Pink Skies Ahead, Kelly Oxford’s film debut, which was to have its world premiere on March 13, 2020 at SXSW. The film then premiered at AFI Fest on October 18 (with MTV Films having already grabbed the distribution rights).
Many distributors have suspended or postponed the release of their films. Wonder Woman 1984 was postponed twice before hitting theaters (in countries where cinemas are open, of course) and digitally in December.
Given that we will have to continue to live with the pandemic at least for a while, at least until we are almost all vaccinated for good or bad (ah, while we’re at it: if you are a no vax or a denier you can never speak to me again), we can say that we have hindsight on our side. And so the world of festivals has also learned the lesson of 2020 and is equipped to be able to offer, whatever happens, an experience that is undoubtedly different but at least valid.
Sundance will be virtual at the end of January, but will offer a series of screenings across the country in the US. Drive-in screenings were also planned in Los Angeles, but were canceled due to the surge in infections in California.
Best Film Festivals in The World
The Berlinale will also hold a virtual edition in March, which will be followed by a series of physical screenings in the summer (hoping that the curve like last summer will drop and, you know, people will go and get vaccinated).
The Palm Springs Film Festival, one of the most important showcases for international films aspiring to one of the 5 nominations for best foreign film at the Oscars, has decided to cancel the 2021 edition.
Another important appointment for the Oscar season is the Santa Barbara Film Festival, which currently has a physical edition scheduled from March 31 to April 10, an edition which has been set up entirely outdoors – pandemic permitting, obvi.
Cannes, like last year, is in a state of confusion. For now, the month of May is, as usual, blocked in the calendar. However, "we have options in case the situation does not improve… The festival will take place this year," said Cannes Film Festival spokeswoman Aida Belloulid. One of the possibilities is that the festival takes place on alternative dates, including the end of June or the end of July, potentially colliding with other major European festivals planned for the summer.
Venice has already set the calendar dates for the first 10 days of September, while in Toronto, TIFF programming director Cameron Bailey said, “Right now we are organizing ourselves for each scenario. We hope we can welcome people to Toronto theaters in September and that vaccine advances will allow for the easing of border restrictions. " At the same time, he added, “We also need to prepare for less rosy scenarios. In any case, distributing at least part of the festival online will be part of our future, and perhaps also for many other festivals ”.
