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.
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Sundance
Coming soonLate 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
Berlinale
Coming soonMid-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
SXSW
Coming soonMid-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
Cannes
Coming soonMid-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
Tribeca
Coming soonEarly-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
Locarno
Coming soonEarly 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
Venice
Coming soonLate 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
TIFF
Covered in fullSeptember 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