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The Guide to Film Festivals

Cannes Film Festival

Cannes, France in May

Top prize: Palme d’Or

History: The first Cannes Film Festival took place in September 1939, but it didn’t happen again until after World War II. The Palme d’Or prize was introduced in 1955. The festival became established during the 1960s and is now known as the world’s most important and influential film festival.

Did you know? About 20 feature films compete each year for the Palme d’Or. Previous winners include Michael Moore and Quentin Tarantino. Unlike the Oscars, the top prize is frequently shared between two films. Famous films that have won the Palme d’Or include Apocalypse Now, Taxi Driver, La Dolce Vita and The Third Man. The festival attracts more than 40,000 people every year.

Venice Film Festival

Venice, Italy in August/ September

Top prize: Golden Lion

History: The Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival still in existence. The film festival was in 1932 and it attracted over 25, 000 people. The festival did not appear again until 1934, when there was a competition between 19 countries. The festival was held three times during World War II and has been held almost every year since then.

Did you know? Films at the 61st Venice Film Festival in 2004 were nominated for 16 awards at the Oscars — the highest ever for the festival. These films included Vera Drake, Shark Tale, Collateral and Finding Neverland.

The London Film Festival

London, UK in October/ November

Top prize: Non-competitive

History: The London Film Festival started in 1956 when a group of film critics led by the famous Dilys Powell, the film critic for The Sunday Times, got together over dinner. They discussed the festivals at Cannes and Venice, and they agreed that London needed one, too. They wanted to give people the opportunity to see films from around the world that were not being shown in the cinemas. The first festival showed 20 films at the National Film Theatre on the South Bank.

Did you know? The festival is one of Europe’s largest public film events, screening about 280 films from 60 countries. Although it is non-competitive, the British Film Institute awards the Sutherland Trophy to the most original and imaginative first feature film screened at the festival.

21.The Venice Film Festival____

A. didn’t attract many people at first  

B. has been running longer than any other film festival

C. is regarded as the most essential film festival

D. has been held every year since 1934.

22.What was the purpose of the London Film Festival at the beginning?

A. To make some films public.           B. To bring film critics together.

C. To choose the best original feature films.

D. To compete with other film festivals.

23.What does the underlined word “screening” in the last paragraph mean?

A. producing        B. watching         C. judging          D. showing