Film festivals explained: competitions, prizes and markets

Every year, a small number of film festivals shape what audiences will be watching months later. They launch careers, start awards campaigns and bring together the people who buy, sell and distribute films. For readers of cinema news, festival season explains why so many reviews appear at once for films that are not yet in cinemas. This guide explains how major festivals are organised, what their prizes mean and how films travel from a premiere to your local screen.

The festival calendar

Hundreds of festivals take place around the world, but a few are particularly influential. Dates move slightly each year; these are the usual periods:

• Sundance (United States), in January, the leading showcase for American independent film.
• Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), in February.
• Cannes (France), in May, often considered the most prestigious festival.
• Venice (Italy), from late August into early September, the oldest of the major festivals.
• Toronto (TIFF, Canada), in September, known for its large public audience.
• San Sebastián (Spain), in September, one of the most important festivals in the Spanish-speaking world.

Many others play key roles in particular regions or genres: Guadalajara and Morelia in Mexico, Mar del Plata in Argentina, Busan in South Korea, Locarno and Karlovy Vary in Europe, and specialised festivals for documentaries, animation and short films.

Competition, sections and juries

Major festivals are divided into sections. The main competition includes a limited number of films selected to compete for the top prizes. Other sections showcase new directors, experimental work, restored classics or films shown out of competition. At Cannes, for example, Un Certain Regard is an official section alongside the competition, while parallel sections such as the Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week are run by separate organisations.

Prizes in competition are decided by a jury, usually a small group of filmmakers, actors and other artists chosen for each edition. Because juries change every year and deliberate privately, their choices can surprise critics. The best-known top prizes include:

• the Palme d'Or at Cannes;
• the Golden Lion at Venice;
• the Golden Bear at Berlin;
• the Golden Shell at San Sebastián;
• the People's Choice Award at Toronto, voted for by audiences rather than a jury.

Festivals also award prizes for direction, acting, screenplay and first films, and independent bodies such as critics' associations present their own awards during the event.

Premieres and why they matter

Festivals compete to host premieres. A world premiere is the very first public screening; an international premiere is the first outside the film's home country. Top festivals generally prefer world premieres for their competitions, which is why producers think carefully about where to launch a film. The choice affects press attention, the type of audience and the film's chances with buyers.

The business side: markets, sales and distribution

Behind the red carpet, several festivals host large film markets, such as the Marché du Film at Cannes and the European Film Market at the Berlinale. There, sales agents represent films and negotiate with distributors who buy the rights to release them in particular territories — in cinemas, on streaming services, on television or a combination. Some films arrive at a festival already sold; others hope a strong screening will lead to deals. Reports that a film was "acquired" or "picked up" after a premiere refer to these agreements.

From festival to awards season

Autumn festivals in particular are closely linked to awards season. Films that premiere in Venice, Toronto, Telluride or New York often go on to campaign for major film awards in the following months. Positive reviews and audience prizes at these festivals can build momentum, which is why coverage frequently mentions a film's "awards chances". Festival success is no guarantee, though, and many celebrated festival films never become awards contenders or box-office hits.

Critics, embargoes and first reactions

Journalists usually see competition films at press screenings shortly before or at the same time as the official premiere. Many outlets publish reviews immediately afterwards, so the first reactions to a film can appear within hours. Some films have review embargoes, set by distributors, that delay full reviews until closer to release. Early social-media reactions are quick impressions, not considered reviews, so it is worth waiting for longer pieces before deciding what you think of a film's reception.

Can the public attend?

It depends on the festival. Some are largely industry events where most screenings require accreditation, though they may offer public screenings or special programmes for local audiences. Others, such as Toronto and San Sebastián, are known for welcoming the general public, with tickets sold for many screenings. If you plan to attend, check the festival's ticketing rules well in advance: popular screenings sell out quickly, and some festivals offer passes, student prices or rush lines for unsold seats.

How to follow a festival from home

1. Look at the official selection when it is announced, usually a few weeks before the festival.
2. Read reviews from several critics for films that interest you, and note where they agree and disagree.
3. Follow the prize announcements on the last day, then read why juries made their choices.
4. Track distribution news to learn when and where films will be released in your country.
5. Make a watchlist and revisit it months later when the films reach cinemas or streaming services.

The Cinema category on NewsPulse gathers film news and reviews from publishers in the country you choose, so during festival season you can follow premieres, reviews, prizes and distribution deals in one place. Every story links to the original publication, where you can read the full review.

Festivals can seem distant, glamorous and exclusive, but at heart they are about discovering films. Knowing how they work makes their headlines far more useful — and helps you find the films you will want to watch next year.