You are a novice if you don’t know these top film festivals of America
Are you even a filmmaker if you haven’t heard the term “Hollywood”? It is the birthplace of many hit cinemas- ranging from Star Wars to Marvel cinematic Universe. Stars from various film industries are willing to work in Hollywood. Some of the biggest pop stars and cult movies have been produced here. It is also home to multiracial people. That’s why America is home to many different kinds of film festivals.
Each one is very unique from the other. However, the value of every festival remains high in the world. Ergo, we have compiled details of the top film festivals in America that must have heard about.
Let’s list them down:
1. Telluride Film Festival
This annual 4-day annual award function takes place in the small town of Telluride, Colorado. Artists, Filmmakers, Cinebuffs, and experts join this festival from all over the world in the fall season. Usually, around 80 international movies are shown each year. Although, each year they receive near to a few thousand film submissions through their website and Filmfreeway.
Apart from a movie screening, there are also panel discussions, artist interviews, and other festivities that take place. Their panel judges the most discerning film of the year and awards it. The next film festival will be on May 25 -29th, 2023.
2. Palm Springs Film Festival
Set in California’s desert landscape with the backdrop of sun and rough mountains, The Palm Springs Film Festival is one of the most visited film festivals on this planet. It showcases almost 180 films each year from different categories and different nations. It boasts the largest selection of foreign languages of the Oscars selection in the United States. It is also said that the event acts as an Oscars warm-up.
3. Sundance Film Festival
Probably the most well-known film festival in the entire USA, this 41-year-old film festival is hosted to celebrate the art of filmmaking. They celebrate brave minds, unique ideas, and GOOD films. By assembling an impressive array of cinema professionals, reviewers, and enthusiasts as well as top musical performers, Sundance has emerged as a leader in its industry. Hollywood’s A-list celebrities are often invited to the event in Park City, Utah, and they accept. Entering this festival is a golden opportunity indeed!
4. Slamdance Film Festival
In the same city as the former film festival, Slamdance also takes place in Utah. This film festival believes in a single ideology: “By Filmmakers; For Filmmaker”. Many big names in the industry like Rian Johnson (Knives Out), Ari Aster (Midsommar), Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), The Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame), Bong Joon Ho (Parasite), Lena Dunham (Girls), etc had first shown their work at this film festival. Making to Slamdance official selection itself is a big achievement for any independent film director. Thousands of films get submitted through WFCN every year to this festival
5. Hawaii International Film Festival
HIFF is special because it unearths features, documentaries, and short films from and about Asia created by Asians, about the Pacific made by Pacific Islanders, and about Hawaii made by filmmakers who accurately portray Hawaii’s culture. The Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) was established in 1981 as a venture of the U.S. Congress-established East-West Center, a learning and research facility situated on the Honolulu campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Now that you read about all these top film festivals, it’s time for you to get over Cannes or Venice and submit your film to these festivals as well.
