Upcoming Major Film Festivals of 2024



 Film festivals are a milestone for indie filmmakers, since they have the potential to greatly enhance both their professional trajectory and the overall commercial success of their films. An annual announcement of new film festivals is made possible by the rise of independent film. However, the majority of filmmakers have a tight budget for film festivals, so picking the appropriate ones is crucial. For the purpose of maximizing your film and money, we have put up a list of the top thirty film festivals. So mark your calendars because 2024 is set to be an exciting year for film festivals around the world. From showcasing groundbreaking independent films to celebrating the works of established film directors, the upcoming year is brimming with opportunities to immerse you in the magic of cinema. Let's take a sneak peek at some of the most anticipated film festivals of 2024 that you definitely don't want to miss.

Let’s take a look at the top film festivals to watch out for in 2024.1. South by Southwest: South by Southwest is a collection of film festivals, panels, conferences, and musical performances. There are unparalleled networking chances for guests of the multimedia event. The film festival features screenings of A-list celebrities in a number of categories.Festival Dates: March 8 - March 16, 20242. The London Independent Film Festival: The goal of the London Independent Film Festival is to support up-and-coming film directors all around the world. Budget-conscious independent first- or second-time filmmakers are given preference by their selection committee. Screenplay competitions, a distribution fair, and networking opportunities are all part of the two-week event scheduled for April 2024. Festival Dates: April 19 - April 28, 20243. Santa Fe International Film Festival: The Santa Fe Film Festival serves as a platform for independent and foreign film. They organize a range of events and screenings that give independent filmmakers the chance to connect with talent agencies, film distributors, and other businesses. There is just one category in the nation for films having an Indigenous subject or creative team at this film festival.Festival Dates: April 25 – April 28, 20244. Atlanta Film Festival: Since 1976, the springtime Atlanta Film Festival has been held annually. The film festival's main focus is inclusivity, with a particular emphasis on female, LGBTQIA+ filmmakers of color. They provide a number of categories to submit to, including some unusual ones like Puppetry Films and Food Films. 

Festival Date: April 25 - May 5, 20245. Cannes Film Festival: One of the most prominent film festivals on the list, this one is set in the city of Cannes and has been going since 1946. Some of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year are on the film festival's schedule. Moreover, it is an extremely competitive film festival because only 70 films are chosen from more than 2000 entries.Festival Dates: May 14 - May 25, 20246. Tribeca Film Festival: Tribeca Festival founded by Robert De Niro in 2002, and it has since become a mainstay of the US film festival landscape. This film festival, which attracts some of the top independent and studio movies of the year, is held in the center of New York and features numerous red carpet screenings.Festival Dates: June 5 - June 16, 20247. Raindance Film Festival: Since its inception in 1992, the Raindance Film Festival has brought together hundreds of film industry professionals annually. The festival, which is situated in London, mostly screens independent global cinema. It provides a number of categories for both short and long films.Festival Dates: June 19 - June 29, 20248. LA Shorts International Film Festival: It is one of the biggest and longest-running film festivals that only screens short films; it was founded in 1997. Films from numerous award-winning performers and film directors, including Ricky Gervais, Tim Burton, Jon Favreau, and Scarlett Johansson, have been screened at the festival. The film festival took place in August of 2023 and featured more than 500 films.

Festival Date: July 8 – July 31, 20249. Hollyshorts Film Festival: The Hollyshorts Film Festival, located in the center of the film industry, presents the top short films from throughout the globe. Zoe Saldana, James Caan, and John Brolin are just a few of the celebs that have graced this Academy Award-qualifying film festival. Live-action, animated, super 8mm, virtual reality, and short film documentaries are among the genres that are offered.Festival Dates: August 8 - August 17, 202410. Venice International Film Festival: One of the longest-running film festivals Venice International Film Festival in the world began in 1936. There are several categories available in the festival's competitive segment for you to apply to.Festival Dates: August 28 - September 7, 202411.Toronto Film Festival: Established in 1976, the Toronto Film Festival is a well-known Canadian event. Notable movies like Mr. Nobody, American Beauty, and The Fabelmans, to mention a few, had their premieres at this festival.Festival Dates: September 5 – September 15, 202412. Nashville Film Festival: One of the American South's oldest film festivals, the Nashville Film Festival opened its doors in 1969. There are lectures, discussions, and musical events in addition to the film festival. The film festival places a strong emphasis on this issue to encourage cooperation between artists and filmmakers because Nashville is a major center for the music business.

Festival Dates: September 19 – September 25, 202413. Fantastic Fest: The Fantastic Fest, the biggest genre event in the US, is based in Austin, Texas. They give special attention to science fiction, fantasy, horror, and action movies. The Fantastic Fest is special because of its secret screenings, which keep the audience in the dark about the film they are seeing until it starts. This September film festival takes place in association with the Alamo Drafthouse theater company.Festival Dates: September 19 – September 26, 202414. Vancouver International Film Festival:  The second-biggest film festival in Canada was founded in 1958 and is called the Vancouver Film Festival. The programming committee prioritizes three categories: Canadian films, East Asian films, and documentaries, in addition to narrative shorts and features.Festival Dates: September 26 – October 6, 2024 15. New York Film Festival: The New York Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and events hosted at the Lincoln Center. Feature films screened at the film festival are hand-picked by the selection committee. However, they do accept submissions for short films across multiple categories.

Festival Date: September 27 - October 13, 202416. Austin Film Festival: The Austin Film Festival is a celebration of writers and storytellers with a focus on filmmakers. The festival's screenplay competition has a high rating among its various categories. It is customary for writers who are chosen as film festival finalists to be represented there.

Festival Dates: October 24 – October 31, 2024

17. BFI London Film Festival: The BFI London Film Festival is held at the British Film Institute. In the UK, it is the most well-known film festival. Hundreds of movies, film documentaries, and shorts are screened at the film festival, which spans two weeks in October. Only UK-based productions are eligible to apply for their feature-length program. All international producers as well as those from the UK can participate in their short film program.Festival Date: October 4 - October 15, 202418. Chicago International Film Festival: The Chicago International Film Festival established in 1964. With hundreds of screenings, it serves as a showcase for global cinema.Festival Dates: October 16 - October 27, 202419. Portland Film Festival: The Portland Film Festival might be younger than most film festivals  on this list but Portland Film Festival has expanded quickly in the past ten years. It provides a variety of categories for feature length, documentaries, and short films and is screened at several venues across the city.Festival Dates: October 16 - October 20, 202420. San Diego International Film Festival: The world's top storytellers in movies come together for the San Diego International Film Festival. Films that address societal challenges that the world is currently facing are given special consideration by its selection committee. They have special submission categories for equestrian, social justice, and military films.Festival Dates: October 16 - October 20, 202421. New Orleans Film Festival: The New Orleans Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing emerging voices in cinema; it's a great choice for aspiring filmmakers. The selection committee makes sure that 90% of the films that are exhibited are the result of submissions as a result.  They also feature filmmakers who are women and people of color.Festival Dates: November 2 – November 7, 202422. Leeds International Film Festival: Another well-known festival from the UK is the Leeds International Film Festival, which was established in 1987. They have a program that includes narrative, experimental, genre, and documentary films. The next event is scheduled for November 2023; the deadline for submissions for the 2024 edition has not yet been disclosed.

Festival Date: November 1 – November 17, 202423. Cork International Film Festival: This is Ireland's biggest and oldest film festival, having been established in 1956. The program includes all genres of cinema, from commercial blockbusters to experimental Indies, in addition to showcasing Irish-made films.Festival Dates: November 7 – November 17, 2024

Beyond these major film festivals, there are numerous regional and thematic film festivals held throughout the year, catering to specific interests and offering unique cinematic experiences.

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