Cannes International Film Festival- May 2011

Founded in 1946 is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals. The festival is usually held in May at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres, in the town of Cannes, in the south of France.

Additionally, given massive media exposure, the non-public festival is attended by many movie stars and is a popular venue for film producers to launch their new films and attempt to sell their works to the distributors who come from all over the globe.

Unfortunately, tickets are not available to the general public for purchase.

www.festival-cannes.com/

Sundance Film Festival – January 2011

The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place every year in Park City, Salt Lake City and Ogden in Utah held in January every year. The festival is a premier showcase for new work from American and international independent filmmakers. The festival comprises competitive sections for American and international dramatic and documentary films, both feature-length films and short films, and a group of non-competitive showcase sections, including the New Frontier, Spectrum, and Park City @ Midnight.

For more information and tickets go to http://festival.sundance.org/2010/boxoffice/how_to_buy_tickets/

Tribeca Film Festival  - April 2011

Founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the TriBeca neighborhood in Manhattan.

The mission of the film festival is "to enable the international film community and the general public to experience the power of film by redefining the film festival experience." The Tribeca Film Festival was founded to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking center and to contribute to the long-term recovery of lower Manhattan.

For more information and tickets go to http://www.tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets/

SouthXSouthWest – March 2011

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas. SXSW first began in 1987 and is centered on the downtown Convention Center. Each of the three parts runs relatively independently, with different start and end dates.

SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the United States, with more than 2,000 performers playing in more than 90 venues around downtown Austin over four days, in March. Though it is an industry-based event, SXSW Music links locally with events such as the annual Austin Music Awards show.

For more information and tickets go to http://sxsw.com/

Toronto International Film Festival - September 9th -19th, 2010

The Toronto International Film Festival is publicly attended non-competitive film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1976, the TIFF is now one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world

About 300-400 films are screened at approximately 37 screens in downtown Toronto venues. Total attendance at TIFF has exceeded 250,000 in the last few years, with figures from the most recent 2009 edition at 287,000 for public and industry admissions and a further 239,000 from the free programming scheduled at Yonge-Dundas Square. Content-wise, though the festival has begun to give more attention to mainstream Hollywood films, it still maintains its focus on independent cinema. It features retrospectives of national cinemas and individual directors, highlights of Canadian cinema, as well as a variety of African, South American, and Asian films

For more information and tickets go to http://tiff.net/

Telluride (TFF): September 3^rd- 6^th, 2010

This Colorado based festival, also known as “TFF” first started on August 30^th, 1976. Now in its 37^th year it is considered one of the most stellar film festivals in the world.  Such notables that were honored in its first year include the likes of Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, and David Lynch.

Tickets:

Individual tickets can be purchased at twenty dollars each, only just prior to show time. This is not recommended however since the festival usually sells out before the actual date.

However ticket packages are offered before the festival’s date. Different levels of the pass will grant you access to the shows and other activities throughout the weekend:

• Cinephile
• Acme
• Festival
• Patron

Fun Fact:

This festival does not reveal the films that are playing until you arrive.  Attendees will have to wait patiently until September 3, 2010 to view the films they’ve been anticipating all year for.  The most popular films are shown several times throughout the festival. To find out more information you can visit the website

http://www.telluridefilmfestival.org/show

Seattle Film Festival (SIFF): May 20^th- June 13^th, 2010

Started in Seattle (obviously) in 1976, after being moved from a couple of different venues it finally found its home at the Egyptian Theatre on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Aiming to bring the creative of the creative to one place SIFF is the largest independent film festival in the US, with its 73 premiere’s. With its national and local media coverage it is one of the city’s most publicized events. Some of the films that were shown before their immediate rise to fame include Braveheart, Poltergeist, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.

Tickets:

• Individual tickets are sold starting from eleven dollars regular admission, all the way down to six dollars each for student’s, and five dollars for teen tix.

Group packages are also available:

• Cinematic Six-Pack
  $57 (SIFF Members $51) Includes admission to any six films priced $11 or less, depending on availability. There is a two-ticket limit per film.
  
  Film Buff 20 Pack
  $180 (SIFF Members $160) Includes admission to any 20 films priced $11 or less, depending on availability. There is a two-ticket limit per film.
  
  Student and Senior Reel Deals
  $35 Includes admission to any five films priced $11 or less, depending on availability, and limited

Fun Fact:

SIFF includes a side bar which is unique in film festivals since it’s a four-film “secret festival”. The attendee doesn’t know in advance what they’re seeing and must sign an agreement to not disclose any information about the film once finished viewing it.

http://www.siff.net/

Los Angeles Film Festival: June 17^th- 27^th , 2010

Held is the Westwood Village of Los Angeles, this film festival attracts many movie buffs alike. Taking place in the movie making capitol of the world, its attendance surpasses 80, 000 people. The festival screens world premiere’s, holds seminars, and even has a family day. Established in 1971, this festival has made its way to gain qualification from the Film Independent Spirit Award’s, and the short film category from the Academy Awards.

Tickets: An array of tickets and packages can be purchased either online or by phone. http://www.lafilmfest.com/2010/passes/

Fun Fact:

Festival includes a “Five Pack” where you can choose which five films are included in your package.

Maui Film Festival: June 16^th- 20^th , 2010

Relatively new on the scene compared to the other festivals, the Maui Film Festival still garners much interest people around the country. Located in beautiful Wailea, Hawaii; who wouldn’t be drawn to go? Event’s, fine dining, and a casual atmosphere give’s the film viewer the perfect ambience to enjoy the weekend.

Tickets:

Several ticket packages are included, available for purchase online or over the phone.

http://www.mauifilmfestival.com/mffw_tickets.php

Fun Fact:

High School Musical star Zac Efron win’s this year’s accept the Maui Film Festival's Shining Star Award while Taylor Steele win accept the Beacon Award.

Venice International Film Festival: September 1^st - 11^th , 2010

Coming into its 67^th year, VIFF has a multitude of historical significance and more to offer its attendees. Cultural exhibits can be found almost everywhere around the city, including in the festival itself. It takes place at The Venice Biennale, which was first established in 1895 and has been regarding as one of the most prestigious artistic institutions in the world. At the end of the festival the best film is awarded the Golden Lion Award, where the runner-up is the Silver Lion and the Volpi Cups are for the actors.

Tickets: http://www.labiennale.org/en/biennale/history/

Fun Fact: Previous known as the Venice Film Festival, it was the first one ever created in 1932.

Now that I've described the world's best (any my favorite) film festivals out there for our viewing pleasure, I have taken on the endeavour of bringing you all information from practically every festival in North America! Stay tuned.