A History of Film Festivals In 100 Movies

Welcome back to History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies — the show where we explore cinema not just through films… but through the festivals that gave them life. Because films don't just appear. They travel. They struggle. They find their audiences — often one screening at a time. Today's episode takes us somewhere a little different.  Not Berlin. Not Sundance. We've already covered most of the To...

 Welcome to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies — the show where we explore how film festivals shaped cinema through one essential movie at a time. Each episode is a pairing: a festival…and a film. Today's pairing is pure discovery. Our festival: Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, in France — the world's most influential short film festival. And our film: Jean-Pierre Jeunet'...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 15. Enchanted April - directed by Mike Newell and the Palm Springs International Film Festival - which kicks off this week January 2 , and runs through the 13th. Mike Newell is an English film and television director and producer, who won the BAFTA for Best Direction for Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), which also won t...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 14. Bowling for Columbine - directed by Michael Moore and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - which kicks off this week November 14, and runs through the 24th.   After bursting onto the scene with Roger & Me in 1989, Michael delivered what many consider to be his best work, Bowling for Columbine , in 20...

Welcome to a HOFF, in 100 movies episode 13 - Short Cuts by Robert Altman and the Venice International Film Festival (also known as the Biennale) I'm excited to explore Altman's career, this terrific film, and a truly special event, the first film festival to ever take place.  

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - Episode 12. Thirteen , directed by Catherine Hardwicke and the Locarno International Film Festival. Thirteen Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2003, and Hardwicke won the Sundance Directing Award for the film. The Locarno Film Festival is a top tier international film festival, held annually in Locarno, Switzerland. Found...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 11:  Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench - by Damien Chazelle, and the Tribeca Film Festival - which took place this past June.    After this film had its World Premiere and Chazelle's numerous accolades, he was on his way to a future indie smash at Sundance, box office success, and Oscar glory. Tribeca Film was founded by Ro...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 10. Pulp Fiction - by Quentin Tarantino, and the Cannes Film Festival (Part II) - which finishes up this weekend on May 25th.  We did cover part of the Cannes history with Wim Wenders, but thought we would share more today, as Pulp Fiction had such an impact at that Festival, 30 years ago in 1994.  A big winner at the Cann...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 9. The Hurt Locker - by Kathryn Bigelow, and the Seattle International Film Festival - which runs In Theaters May 9–19 (yes going on RIGHT NOW) and Streaming May 20–27  A big winner at SIFF, The Hurt Locker had an incredible run at the Oscars, which you will hear more about later.  The Seattle International Film Festival (...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 8. Paris, Texas - by Wim Wenders and the Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 14th - 25th, 2024. A big winner at the Cannes Film Festival in 1984, Paris, Texas has had a major impact on filmmakers, musicians and arts culture. And the Cannes Film Festival is one of the "Big Three" major European film festivals, alongside th...

  Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 7. The Thin Blue Line - by Errol Morris, and the Hot Docs Film Festival - which runs April 25 - May 5th here in 2024. One of the most influential documentaries ever made, The Thin Blue line ranks on virtually the documentary lists.  And placed fifth on a Sight & Sound poll of the greatest documentaries. The Hot Docs Cana...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - Episode 6. Blood Simple , directed by the Coen Brothers and the New York Film Festival . In this episode, I share the history of this dynamic duo, sharing insights and historical facts.  You will hear audio trailers as well. On the Festival side, I share the origins and evolution of one of America's top festivals, and how these storylines...

Welcome back to A History of Film of Film Festivals in 100 Movies .  We're on episode 5 - US by Jordan Peele and SXSW, an event that truly celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education.  The event just wrapped its 37th year in Austin Texas this weekend.  And yes, Jordan Peele was there!  Why, we'll get to that later.   For more details, transcript, links to videos and resources, visit...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies . This is Episode 4: Lady Bird - directed by Greta Gerwig and Telluride Film Festival As with the previous filmmakers shared on this podcast, Lady Bird was a low budget indie, taking film festivals by storm, in this case, premiering at the top tier Telluride Film Festival.  The movie would help Gerwig transition comfortably to the filmmaker...

Welcome to a History of Film Festivals In 100 Movies, Episode 3 -  Before Sunrise  by Richard Linklater. I'm your host, Jon Fitzgerald, and excited to explore this terrific film, and the Berlinale, one of the top film festivals in the world. Ok, let's dig into Episode 3.   In 1995,  Before Sunrise played the Sundance Film Festival and was well received, but it would have an even greater impact the...

Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies  - Episode 2. Memento , directed by Christoher Nolan.  As with  Sex Lies & Videotape ,  Memento  is another great example of a low budget indie, taking film festivals by storm, and establishing an emerging filmmaker with a distinctive voice.  We're going to explore how his story intersects with one of the best film festivals in the World, b...

Welcome to  A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies .  I'm excited to share our first episode - Episode 1 - Sex, Lies and Videotape, directed by Steven Soderbergh.  If you ask industry professionals, like myself, who've been in the business for 35 years or more, they will agree this film may have had the greatest impact on the state of independent film, when it hit the festival circuit in 1989....