"Cannes vs The rest of the World": The Festival Beat N°1166
THE FESTIVAL BEAT MAKER ! SHARING MOTION AND EMOTION SINCE 1995 - FINALIZING OUR NEW SITE - BEST OF LUCK IN CANNESON THE CIRCUIT
We are working hard fine tuning THE new version of our platform to better serve our community. Filmfestivals.com was established in 1995 before google even existed, turned into a social network in 2006 with a blog platform welcoming festivals and film professionals with over 120 000 articles and counting. We take our pride in helping filmmakers, Fest organizers receiving unique visibility and promotion in our dailies so they can match and grow.
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We cover over 15 000 festivals worldwide and proudly share our knowledge of the Festival circuit with our community, we trust our audience will ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE even better on our new platform : stay tuned for new features coming out soon!. In case you missed any of these 1100+ newsletters ... you can find them all here
> CANNES IN FOCUS
The 79th edition of the festival runs Tue, May 12, 2026 – Sat, May 23, 2026
Cannes Festival News and Dailies I Cannes Market Dailies I Les Dailies du Festival I Les News du Marché
ARCHIVES: Video gallery I Image gallery I Conference Future of Cinema in Cannes I PROMOTE YOUR FILM I VIDEO SERVICES IN CANNES
> FESTIVALS IN FOCUS
New Media Film Festival® Announces 2026 Lineup Highlighting Global Innovation in Film, Music and Storytelling
"New Media FF looked like an outlier in 2009 with its odd categories. Now those formats are mainstream. New Media FF keeps pushing creators, the market & audiences toward new storytelling," Oscar Winner Nick Reed
HollyShorts Film Festival and Filmio Studios Launch Audience Short Film Discovery Partnership
The Academy Award-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival has partnered with Filmio Studios, the production studio associated with the industry leading film.io platform to debut a first-of-its-kind,...
4th World Media Lab Announces 11th Cohort of Indigenous Filmmaker Fellows
This nine-month fellowship uplifting narrative sovereignty, community-centered storytelling, and new pathways for impact and distribution.Seattle, WA — May 4, 2026 — 4th World Media, in partnership...
Zinemaldia Startup Challenge is now open for submissions
The San Sebastian Film Festival opens the seventh call for the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge, a competition focused on Spanish and European entrepreneurs and startups whose projects include new...
Eighth Annual French Riviera Film FestivaL KICKED OFF
The French Riviera Film Festival (FRFF) returns for its eighth edition on May 15–16, 2026, revealing a distinguished selection of finalist short films that exemplify the artistry and innovation of global short-form storytelling. The announcement was made today by festival co-founder Nicole Goesseringer Muj and executive producer Kate Elfatah.
Moscow Film Festival welcoming "Coming Home"
"This is a story about generational trauma": the American director J. Mitchell Johnson about the film Coming HomeThe American director and screenwriter J. Mitchell Johnson introduced his film Coming...
Los Angeles Greek Film Festival | Line up Announced
The Full Lineup Is Here! The LAGFF festival will kick off with PATTY IS SUCH A GIRLY NAME by Dir. Giorgos Georgopoulos (Opening Night Feature, West Coast Premiere)The film program of the landmark...
> FILMS IN FOCUS
"Into The Deep Blue" starring Damian Hardung & Sara Waisglass - First Look Photo
We are sharing the first look photo from Constantin Film’s YA romance Into The Deep Blue starring Damian Hardung (Amazon Prime Video’s hit German series “Maxton Hall – The World Between Us”), Sara...
Indian Institute of Zombies, Review: To zombie or not to zombie
What are you writing this week?I am reviewing the film Indian Institute of Zombies, IIZ.Don’t be silly! There is no such institute. We have the IIT-Indian Institute of Technology, IIM-Indian...
Mansour Jahani in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: Airstrikes have directly hit the Iranian cinema industry’s infrastructure
Mansour Jahani an independent and international cinema journalist, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: Airstrikes have directly hit the Iranian industry’s infrastructure. The headquarters of...
Indie Streamer Mometu Announces Platform Closure
Mometu’s streaming platform will officially shut down later this month Mometu, the free streaming platform dedicated to independent, international, and underserved cinema, has announced it will shut down activities..
> PEOPLE IN FOCUS
Alexandre Desplat to receive the 20th LAGFF Orpheus Honoree
Alexandre Desplat, courtesy of Brigitte Lacombe“Alexandre is in my opinion one of the best, if not the best composer alive. He is a guy who knows exactly why he is doing something and exactly how to...
> PARTNERS FESTIVALS
The New Media Film Festival®
June 4 – 5, 2026
The New Media Film Festival® represents a convergence of technology and tradition, offering a hybrid platform that caters to both in-person and online audiences. This innovative event showcases a diverse range of categories, from the classic to the cutting-edge, reflecting the festival's commitment to embracing the evolving landscape of media. With a focus on boundary-pushing content, the festival provides a unique space for creators to present their work in various formats, including traditional screenings and experiential presentations. This approach not only honors the storytelling craft but also celebrates the role of technology in shaping new methods of media consumption and interaction. The festival's inclusive ethos is evident in its wide array of categories, ensuring that there is a place for every form of creative expression.
Our mandate is to be fair to all creators, in all ages, all cultures and all media.
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NYC Independent Film Festival
June 1 – 7, 2026
PARTNER FESTIVAL WITH FILMFESTIVALS.COM
Home of the NYC Indie Awards the festival aims to discover the Artist Filmmaker, showcasing them to the entertainment industry and the NYC public. All NYCIndieFF screenings take place in the historic center of NYC, Time Square which is the perfect home for an event geared toward creating incredible opportunities for independent voices.
NYCIndieFF honors the Best in Category which includes Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Narrative, Best Super Short, Best Covid Diaries, as well as Best Director and Best Screenplay.
New York City Independent Film Festival (NYCIndieFF) will hold a physical festival this year. We will celebrate the Independent Filmmaker, documentaries, short and feature-length films and animation. Whether a submission is comedic, dramatic, or something in between, The NYCIndieFF is eager to embrace fresh ideas and storytelling.
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French Riviera Film Festival
Cannes : May 15 – 16, 2026
PARTNER FESTIVAL WITH FILMFESTIVALS.COM
The 8th annual French Riviera Film Festival (FRFF) will recognize and celebrate short-form content created for film, television, Web and all digital platforms. In the glamorous South of France setting, FRFF invites filmmakers from around the globe to participate in the two-day festival that includes screenings, awards ceremony, and closing gala party. FRFF will place the spotlight on the best short-form filmed content during the time period of the annual Festival de Cannes. A prestigious jury panel will select Best Drama Short, Best Comedy Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Animation Short, Best Experimental Short, Best Lifestyle Short, Best Fashion Short, Best Music Video, Best Female Filmmaker Award, Best Director Award, Best Actor Award, Best Actress Award, Best Activism Short, Best Micro Short Award, Industry Excellence Award, and Lifetime Achievement Awards . Attendees and participants will include filmmakers, industry executives, celebrities, media, and influencers.
https://filmfreeway.com/FrenchRivieraFilmFestival
The Cannes awards highlights video
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IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES: AN AMERICAN JOURNEY Documentary by Susan Kucera
1 hour 21 minutes USA, December 2025
Academy-Award winner, JEFF BRIDGES narrates this stunning journey, following wolves as co-travelers through American history — from the shores of England to the birth of the New Republic and ultimately the colonization of the vast, contested landscapes of the modern American West. A place where the ensemble doesn’t merely walk through history; they trot, lope, stampede, and migrate across it reminding us that the connection between the wild and the domesticated have always reflected a deeper story of who we are as a nation — and who we might yet become.
Susan Kucera and Academy Award winner, Jeff Bridges, team up for their 3rd Documentary Film together. This is Susan's 8th documentary film following award winning films such as, Living in the Future's Past, Hot Money, 12th Hour, For the Love of Tango, Wild Genius, Breath of Life and Trading on Thin Air. She spent her youth filming on the ice fields of the Athabasca Glacier and has a deep love of nature, cinematography, animals and the great outdoors.
Watch the Trailer
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STAKEOUT by Riker Lynch USA 90 minutes April 26
Suspicious of his new girlfriend, Jon enlists his wannabe-detective best friend for a DIY stakeout - only to stumble on a dangerous secret that puts them in way over their heads.
Action, comedy romantic thriller by Riker Lynch Writer, Director, Producer
Produced by Billy Gould, Ross Lynch, Gordy De St. Jeor and Riker Lynch
Casting: Riker Lynch, Titus Makin, Bella Martinez, Samuel Del Real, Curt Mega, Sammy Ferrenbach,Bobby UKey, Kayden Muller-Janssen
Riker’s band is ready to perform in sync with festival screenings.
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Coming Home From Shadowland to Spiritworld
US April 2026 Documentaryby J.Mitchell Johnson & Daniel Golding
Coming Home: From Shadowland to Spiritworld is the story of a California native tribe’s surprisingly successful recovery of sacred land and their unique quest for reunification with descendants of tribal women taken to Russia at the end of that country’s brief colonial enterprise on the California coast.
Shot over a period of 14 years beginning in 2012 in a cinéma vérité style, Coming Home: From Shadowland to Spiritworld follows the story of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians as they undertake an extraordinary effort to reclaim their ancestral lands on the Sonoma Coast after 170 years of displacement. Interweaving the little-known history of Russian colonization in California with a modern story of negotiation, diplomacy, and ceremony, the film shows how land repatriation becomes a powerful act of cultural renewal. The Kashia tell their own story without a third-party narrator as they confront the legacy of historical trauma—including generational loss and the ongoing impacts of colonialism—the return to their sacred places like Metini and Danaka reveals how restoring land can help restore identity, resilience, and community.
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'LALA, MY REDHEAD' Feature film award winning script by Nellie K. and Deniz Nala
at development stage, with a finalised script
Love and poverty, betrayal and wealth - centuries of traditions put to the test! A compelling story intricately woven into a comprehensive exploration of women’s status against the backdrop of the Roma culture. From the director of an award-winning film in Cannes 2023.
“I worked in Cannes with Emir Kusturica as his Sony Distributor on his brilliant award winning film: “Time of The Gypsies”: when I read the script for “Lala, my redhead” I immediately saw the connection and the potential of a unique story: I trust you will like it too. “
Bruno Chatelin - filmfestivals.com founder
> AWARDS WATCH ...
Record-breaking HÕFF Announced Winners
The HÕFF red carpet. Photo: Aron UrbThe Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) has concluded its 21st outing on a high note, setting a new benchmark for attendance. The festival reached a...
Surprise Palme d'Or of honour to John Travolta
Ahead of the world Premiere of his directorial debut John Travolta was awarded a surprise Palme d'or honouring his carreer.I (Bruno Chatelin, your editor) am understanding and sharing his emotion...
DOK.fest München Final curtain and BEST DOKS
Dear friends of DOK.fest München,With our heads full of memorable moments, we look forward to the last weekend of DOK.fest 2026 and a grand finale featuring our main awards ceremony on Saturday 16...
Micro-Shorts Finalists & People’s Choice Winner Revealed LIVE May 23
2026 Oneness of Humanity Micro-Short Film Contest Join the LIVE Reveal on the Awakening World Show Save this Link for the 5/23 Awakening World Show A Record-Breaking 80,000+ Votes Cast Finalists &...
French Riviera Film Festival opening reception IN CANNES
Special Awards Presentation to Christian James Madsen and Eva Lanska at Opening Ceremony Reception May 15
ITFS celebrates a successful 33rd Edition in Stuttgart announces award winners
Major Stage for Animation: ITFS celebrates a successful 33rd Edition in Stuttgart On its sixth and final day, the 33rd Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS) once again celebrates...
European Film Academy appoints first-ever Chapter Principals across eight filmmaking disciplines
The European Film Academy announces the appointment of Chapter Principals across its eight member chapters, marking a significant milestone in the Academy's ongoing commitment to championing the arts and crafts of European filmmaking.
Les nouveaux défis du cinéma dans notre région Emission spéciale depuis le Festival de Cannes
A l'occasion du plus grand festival de cinéma au monde, Dimanche en politique diffuse un numéro spécial consacré au 7e art. Pendant 12 jours, le meilleur du cinéma international a rendez-vous à...
Fema - Une cinéaste estonienne majeure et la sélection des films “D’hier à aujourdhui”
Rétrospective d'une cinéaste estonienne majeureCinéaste majeure en Estonie, la première rétrospective de Leida Laius aura lieu au 54e Fema. Née en 1923 et disparue il y a 30 ans, elle a marqué...
#WeLoveFema : une campagne de mécénat et une plateforme communautaire pour rassembler les cinéphiles et les soutiens du festival
Photo : L’aventure d’une nuit Mitchell Leisen © Park CircusL’association organisatrice du Festival La Rochelle Cinéma (Fema) développe un dispositif inédit qui réunit deux initiatives complémentaires...
PEUGEOT NOUVEAU PARTENAIRE DU FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU FILM D’ANIMATION D’ANNECY
PEUGEOT devient partenaire du Festival international du film d’animation d’Annecy, rendez‑vous mondial de référence de la création animée du 21 au 27 juin 2026. Le Lion affirme son attachement au...
IPFC lance le premier modèle de protection et de rémunération de la création à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle générative
Face à l’essor fulgurant de l’intelligence artificielle générative, qui exploite massivement l’image et les univers créatifs de milliers de créateurs et personnalités publiques sans cadre ni...
