The beauty of the film festival
Entertainment Aspect: Your Weekly Entertainment News
Lauren Rocha
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
This year's Tribeca Festival featured films about to be released in theaters, including the premiere of "Baby Mama," starring Tina Fey, as well as the much anticipated "Speed Racer."
The Festival also features film's from across the globe, such as the Middle East. The films compete in categories including the NY, NY Narrative Competition, International Documentary Competition, and International Narrative Feature Competition.
The winners of these categories are often independent films, but are powerful in their own right.
In May, the Cannes Film Festival happens. This is the most important film festival all year and featured films have gone on to garner Oscar nominations and wins. The selection of the films has two parts: the Competition and "Un Certain Regard."
The competition is comprised of the most recognized artists of cinema as well as revealing emerging talent. The movies in this category "aim to touch international audiences and illustrate the Festivals desire to privilege an 'auteur [author] cinema for the general public'".
During the closing ceremony, the judges award its prizes for the competition: the Palme d'Or; the Grand Prix; Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Director; Best Script; and the Jury Prize. Past winners of these awards have included the Oscar nominated "Persepolis," Oscar winners "Babel" and "The Pianist" as well more popular films such as Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City."
"Un Certain Regard" highlights single works that are "original in their message and aesthetics, which reflect the renewal of cinematic expression." This category also awards its own prize at the closing ceremony, but often features many lesser known, independent films.
Film festivals are their own events in themselves. In today's world of glamorous award shows and built up blockbusters, festivals offer a different experience. One where you don't have to be Spielberg to get recognition. A struggling filmmaker just trying to make it in the entertainment industry gets the same credit.
They allow independent films a chance to shine next to big, Hollywood blockbusters and even to win prestigious awards. They may not be the Oscars, but they still embody what film is about: individuals with big dreams.
It's difficult to make those dreams a reality. But with the festivals, they're one step closer to getting there.
The Festival also features film's from across the globe, such as the Middle East. The films compete in categories including the NY, NY Narrative Competition, International Documentary Competition, and International Narrative Feature Competition.
The winners of these categories are often independent films, but are powerful in their own right.
In May, the Cannes Film Festival happens. This is the most important film festival all year and featured films have gone on to garner Oscar nominations and wins. The selection of the films has two parts: the Competition and "Un Certain Regard."
The competition is comprised of the most recognized artists of cinema as well as revealing emerging talent. The movies in this category "aim to touch international audiences and illustrate the Festivals desire to privilege an 'auteur [author] cinema for the general public'".
During the closing ceremony, the judges award its prizes for the competition: the Palme d'Or; the Grand Prix; Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Director; Best Script; and the Jury Prize. Past winners of these awards have included the Oscar nominated "Persepolis," Oscar winners "Babel" and "The Pianist" as well more popular films such as Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City."
"Un Certain Regard" highlights single works that are "original in their message and aesthetics, which reflect the renewal of cinematic expression." This category also awards its own prize at the closing ceremony, but often features many lesser known, independent films.
Film festivals are their own events in themselves. In today's world of glamorous award shows and built up blockbusters, festivals offer a different experience. One where you don't have to be Spielberg to get recognition. A struggling filmmaker just trying to make it in the entertainment industry gets the same credit.
They allow independent films a chance to shine next to big, Hollywood blockbusters and even to win prestigious awards. They may not be the Oscars, but they still embody what film is about: individuals with big dreams.
It's difficult to make those dreams a reality. But with the festivals, they're one step closer to getting there.
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