International Film Festivals
Visit the links below for more information about the most important festivals in the world.
The following rankings are in alphabetical order.
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2007)
The most eminent festival in the Middle East.
Antalya Golden Orange International Film Festival (Antalya, Turkey, 1963)
A festival for films originating from Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.
Berlin International Film Festival (Berlin, Germany, 1951)
One of the biggest festivals in the world, Berlinale has a strong Market, and the renowned Talent Campus program.
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (Brussels, Belgium, 1983)
One of the largest European Festivals for fantasy and science fiction films.
Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival (BAFICI) (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
It has a Talent Campus and the remarkable Market for Latin-American films, Ventana Sur.
Busan International Film Festival (Busan, South Korea, 1996)
One of the largest Asian film festivals, focusing on emerging Asian filmmakers.
Cairo International Film Festival (Cairo, Egypt, 1976)
The first International Festival in the Middle East, with an emphasis on the Arab world.
Cannes Film Festival (Cannes, France, 1946)
With no further recommendations, the largest and most important Festival in the world. Its platform for professionals within the film industry is the Cinando.com.
Cartagena International Film Festival (Cartagena, Columbia, 1960)
The oldest film event in Latin America which focuses on Iberian and Latin-American films.
Cinema du Réel (Paris, France, 1979)
International Documentary Festival – (attention, not the Swiss Visions du Reel).
Edinburgh International Film Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland)
One of the most important film Festivals in the United Kingdom.
Festival del film Locarno (Locarno, Switzerland, 1946)
One of the biggest summer Festivals, it is famous for its outdoor screenings.
Gijón International Film Festival (Gijón, Spain, 1963)
A Festival for young artists, with a young jury.
Göteborg International Film Festival (Gothenburg, Sweden)
One of the biggest Scandinavian Festivals.
International Film Festival of India (Goa, India, 1952)
The largest and oldest Festival in India, which features a co-production market and prompts international guests to attend.
International Film Festival Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Netherlands, 1972)
The most important Festival for experimental and art-house films, including a competition for first-time and second-time feature film directors. It also features the renowned Cinemart market.
International Short Film Festival Clermont Ferrand (Clermont-Ferrand, France, 1979)
The most famous Festival for short films in Europe.
Istanbul International Film Festival (Istanbul, Turkey, 1982)
Our neighboring Festival focusing on Art House films and a Market which, in recent years, is steadily on the rise.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, 1946)
The only A-List Festival in the Czech Republic which strongly promotes the region’s and neighboring countries’ film production.
Krakow Film Festival (Krakow, Poland, 1961)
A Festival focusing on documentaries, animated films and short films.
London Film Festival (London, England, 1953)
One of the most impressive cinematic events, organized by the BFI.
Los Angeles Film Festival (Los Angeles, USA, 1995)
It focuses on documentaries and on first-time and second-time feature film directors.
Mar del Plata International Film Festival (Mar del Plata, Argentina, 1954)
Argentina’s oldest film festival.
Melbourne International Film Festival (Melbourne, Australia, 1952)
The highlight of the Australian film industry and one of the oldest Festivals in the world.
Minsk International Film Festival Listapad (Minsk, Belarus, 1994)
Focusing on Baltic film productions, and films from Central-Asia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia.
Montreal World Film Festival (Montreal, Canada, 1977)
The only Festival in North America which includes a competition section and is accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations).
Moscow International Film Festival (Moscow, Russia, 1935)
The second oldest Festival in the world.
Mumbai Film Festival (Mumbai, India, 1990)
It features a competition section for first-time feature film directors.
New Horizons International Film Festival (Wrocław, Poland, 2001)
A new but important Central European Festival.
Oberhausen International Short Film Festival (Oberhausen, Germany, 1954)
More than 50 years of experience in short films.
Reykjavik International Film Festival (Reykjavik, Iceland, 1954)
This Icelandic Festival occupies a prominent position among film critics.
Rome Film Festival (Rome, Italy, 2006)
New Festival, known for its exorbitant awards for feature films in competition.
San Sebastian International Film Festival (San Sebastian, Spain, 1953)
One of the most important European Festivals.
Sarajevo Film Festival (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1995)
Feature films and documentaries from Central and South-Eastern Europe. It features the remarkable CineLink Market.
SITGES International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (Sitges, Spain, 1968)
A Festival for fantasy, horror and science fiction films.
Shanghai International Film Festival (Shanghai, China, 1993)
The only A-List Festival in China.
South by Southwest (Film) (Austin, USA, 1993)
A major Arts event. Its film section battles it out with Sundance’s. It features a competition section for musical films.
Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah, USA, 1978)
The most important North American Festival for independent productions.
Sofia International Film Festival (Sofia, Bulgaria, 1997)
Sofia International Film Festival focuses on first-time and second-time feature film directors. It also has a Market.
Sydney Film Festival (Sydney, Australia, 1954)
Focuses on innovation and big cash prizes.
Tampere Film Festival (Tampere, Finland, 1992)
The oldest and largest Competition section for short films in Northern Europe.
Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Thessaloniki, Greece, 1960)
Our domestic Festival with a competition section focusing on emerging Greek directors and a notable Market for Balkan films.
Tokyo International Film Festival (Tokyo, Japan, 1985)
The only Festival in Japan which features a competition section and is accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations).
Torino Film Festival (Torino, Italy, 1982)
A Festival for directors with a first, second or third feature film in their filmography.
Toronto International Film Festival (Toronto, Canada, 1976)
The largest North American Festivals and the biggest Market in the world.
Transilvania International Film Festival (Sibiu, Romania, 2002)
The largest Festival in Romania for first-time and second-time feature film directors.
Tribeca Film Festival (New York, USA, 2002)
New York’s Festival featuring short films, feature films and documentaries.
Venice International Film Festival (Venice, Italy, 1932)
The oldest film Festival in the world, with the Golden Lion as its emblem, which is part of the Venetian Biennale.
Warsaw Film Festival (Warsaw, Poland, 1985)
The most dynamically on the rise Festival of Eastern Europe.
Viennale – Vienna International Film Festival (Vienna, Austria, 1960)
A Youth Festival with an impact on the German-speaking public.