There’s no denying that across the globe, people come together to sit and enjoy films. A movie night with friends and family has become an enjoyable experience for all cultures. Whether it’s a fluffy rom-com or a deeply inspiring documentary, movies impact society in more ways than one.
Across the world, film festivals are held each year to promote films of various genres. Some are more high-profile than others, but each one is unique in its own way.
A film is a true form of art, but also entertainment in its most basic form. Let’s explore some of the best film festivals in Europe so you and your friends or family can attend and broaden your horizons!
Top Film Festivals in Europe
Here are some examples of the top film festivals in Europe. Continue reading to learn more about each festival and what it has to offer.
1. The Berlin International Film Festival
Typically called The Berlinale, this film festival was founded in Berlin in 1951 and takes place in Berlin, Germany. It’s considered one of the “big three” along with the Venice and Cannes film festivals. While COVID-19 impacted the 2021 festival, over 479,000 recorded theater visits for the Berlinale in 2020.
The festival takes place for 11 days in February, and professionals in the film and media industry flood in from worldwide. The festival itself plays a significant role in the German economy and helps filmmakers support their careers, dreams, and aspirations. Annually, around 400 films across different genres are screened for the festival’s audience.
2. San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF)
Held in the Spanish city of Donostia-San Sebastián, the international festival is known for its wide range of film screenings, stunning beach views, and delicious food vendors. Some well-known celebrities have attended this festival, such as Al Pacino and Gregory Peck. Filmmakers like Hitchcock and Tarantino also have been seen at SSIFF.
While tickets to SSIFF are open to the public, industry professionals often get first dibs, and tickets sell out frequently. Initially meant to highlight Spanish films, the festival features the Official Competition, the Horizontes Latino section, and the Zalbategui section.
3. Cannes Film Festival
While the Cannes Film Festival is not open to the general public, it’s attended by some of the industry’s most prolific creators, actors, and other red carpet elites. The festival is one of the most widely attended and publicized events globally and will enter its 74th season this year.
The ultimate mission of the festival is to highlight and raise the profile of films, celebrate films on an international level, and contribute to the overall development of the film industry. Cannes has established itself as the dominant festival in the global film festival industry.
4. Venice International Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals to date. The festival as a whole consists of various artistic focuses such as dance, theater, and music. The film portion of the festival is what it’s best known for, though.
Tickets can be purchased by the general public, with both affordable and more expensive ticket options. The festival is organized in various sections, including the Official Selection, which is the primary event of the festival.
5. British Film Institute London Film Festival
The BFI Film Festival is held annually and screens around 300 films, documentaries, and shorts. Filmmakers from approximately 50 countries submit their films for the festival. The festival is held in cooperation with the British Film Institute (BFI).
The BFI’s mission is to:
- Support creative filmmaking and moving image creation
- Grow and care for the BFI archive, which is the world’s largest film and TV archive
- Ensure the growth of the U.K. film industry
6. Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF)
One of the oldest festivals in the world is the Karlovy Vary festival, located in the Czech Republic. It’s Central Europe’s leading festival and shows over 200 films annually. Filmmakers, sales agents, journalists, buyers, and distributors are all in attendance. The general public is also welcome at the KVIFF.
Many of the films shown are exclusive to the festival, while some make it into Czech or foreign distribution. Audiences can enjoy thematic selections and unique retrospectives, and see homages to exceptional filmmakers at the KVIFF.
7. International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)
Located in the Netherlands, the IFFR focuses on recent work from new filmmakers but also features retrospectives and themed programs. The festival is held in various locations in Rotterdam and was founded in 1972. IFFR also actively supports filmmakers with funding through its CineMart, Hubert Bals Fund, and Rotterdam Lab.
There are 340,000 admissions with over 2,700 film professionals in attendance. It’s considered one of the largest industry-driven festivals in the world. IFFR is always held in January.
8. Raindance Film Festival
The Raindance Film Festival takes place in London every autumn season. Its 30th anniversary will be celebrated this upcoming year. The festival is considered the largest and one of the most important festivals in the U.K.
It’s officially recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Independent Film Awards, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. It was at Raindance that the movies “Pulp Fiction,” “The Blair Witch Project,” and “Down Terrace” premiered in the U.K.
9. Lisbon Film Rendezvous
While there are many A-list international festivals that take place annually, the Lisbon Film Rendezvous focuses on showcasing some lesser-known films that would typically be overlooked by some of these big-name festivals. The festival is held in the LACS Creative Cluster in downtown Lisbon.
There are no awards at this festival, but it is free for filmmakers to submit their work. It’s a goal of the festival to promote independent films and also be a catalyst for film networking.
10. Locarno Film Festival
For 11 days in August in the heart of Europe, the Locarno Film Festival takes place. The festival has a 74-year history; its first celebration of film was back in 1946. These are some of the types of films featured in the Locarno Film Festival:
- Fiction
- Documentaries
- Feature films
- Shorts
- National and international films
Locarno Film Festival aims to focus on quality and variety — there are 11 sections, three competitions, and 20 awards in the festival. One of the best locations to view some of these films is the Piazza Grande, which can seat 8,000 audience members.
11. Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF)
The Edinburgh International Film Festival has a rich history dating back to its inauguration in 1947. It was initially introduced to feature only documentaries but widened its scope as years went by. Famous celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence, Sir Sean Connery, Gene Kelly, Tilda Swinton, and Ewan McGregor have graced this festival with their attendance.
The festival hosted the U.K. premieres of “Blade Runner,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Alien,” “Back to the Future,” and other big-name films. The festival emphasizes new talent, discovery, and innovation with all of its features and has a strong stake in the film industry. One notable moment in the festival was the introduction of the Women’s Film Festival in 1972, which is exclusive to female directors.
Film festivals post COVID
One thing worth noting is that the next five years will be challenging for members of the creative arts industries, like film, video games, and any other kind of digital entertainment. These festivals are perfect avenues for filmmakers to raise the bar and consider submitting their work to be judged by audiences.
Each film festival listed above is held in a beautiful European location. If you do attend one, be sure to tour the surrounding areas to get the full experience. Some film festivals are even held virtually, so you can save money and travel expenses by attending.
Consider Attending a Foreign Film Festival
Film festivals serve as showcases for filmmakers all over the world. All kinds of films are shown at these festivals, and there’s surely one to suit everyone’s preferences. Because these festivals are held annually, consider adding one to your bucket list. It’ll be an experience worth every penny!
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Ginger Abbot is a freelance writer and graduate student with a passion for helping others find their career paths. Read more of her work on Classrooms, where she serves as Managing Editor.
