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The festival year

Every festival, one guide.

Eight festivals carry the film year between them, from a ski town in January to a harbourfront in September. Here is when each one runs and what it is for — and for Toronto, the whole programme, screening by screening.

  1. Sundance

    Coming soon

    Late January, about eleven days

    Park City, Utah, United States

    Where American independent film sets its year. Small films leave Park City with distribution and a run at the next winter's awards.

    Top prize
    Grand Jury Prize
    Since
    1978

  2. Berlinale

    Coming soon

    Mid-February, about eleven days

    Berlin, Germany

    The most public of the big European festivals — a large share of tickets go to Berliners rather than the industry. The European Film Market runs alongside it.

    Top prize
    Golden Bear
    Since
    1951

  3. SXSW

    Coming soon

    Mid-March, about nine days

    Austin, Texas, United States

    The film half of a music, tech and film conference. Comedy, horror and documentary premiere here to a crowd that responds loudly and early.

    Top prize
    Audience Award
    Since
    1994

  4. Cannes

    Coming soon

    Mid-to-late May, about twelve days

    Cannes, France

    The most selective festival in the world, and through the Marché du Film the largest film market. An invitation to Competition is the industry's highest compliment.

    Top prize
    Palme d'Or
    Since
    1946

  5. Tribeca

    Coming soon

    Early-to-mid June, about twelve days

    New York City, United States

    Founded to bring people back to Lower Manhattan after September 11. Now as much a storytelling festival as a film one, with strong documentary and New York programming.

    Top prize
    Best Narrative Feature
    Since
    2002

  6. Locarno

    Coming soon

    Early August, about eleven days

    Locarno, Switzerland

    Europe's most adventurous programme, screened by night in the Piazza Grande — an open-air square that seats thousands under one very large screen.

    Top prize
    Golden Leopard
    Since
    1946

  7. Venice

    Coming soon

    Late August into early September, about eleven days

    Venice, Italy

    The oldest film festival in the world, held on the Lido. In recent years the reliable opening move of the awards season, days before Toronto.

    Top prize
    Golden Lion
    Since
    1932

  8. TIFF

    Covered in full

    September 9–20, 2026

    Toronto, Canada

    The largest public festival of them all, and the one FilmFest covers in full: every film and screening, rush lines, your diary, ranking and votes.

    Top prize
    People's Choice Award
    Since
    1976