The first ever online film festival gathering films curated by 20 world festivals will be available for free on YouTube between May 29-June 7, 2020

The announcement was made yesterday by co-organisers YouTube and Tribeca Enterprises, co-founded by Robert de Niro, Craig Hatkoff and Jane Rosenthall.

The 20 international festivals set to take part in the Covid-19 relief initiative include the Annecy Animation Film Festival, Berlin, BFI/London FF, Cannes, Guadalajara, Macao, Jerusalem, Mumbai, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Marrakech, New York Film Festival, San Sebastian, Sarajevo, Sundance, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tribeca and Venice.

The virtual event ‘We Are One: A Global Film Festival’ will include a curated programme from each festival of selected feature films, shorts, documentaries, comedy, music shows, plus talent interviews and conferences. The full programme will be unveiled at a later date. 

Viewers will be invited to make donations to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local relief bodies, involved in the Covid-19 global relief effort.

Tribeca Enterprises’ Jane Rosenthal said in a statement: “We often talk about film’s uniquely powerful role in inspiring and uniting people across borders and differences to help heal the world. All of the world needs healing right now. ‘We Are One: A Global Film Festival’ unites curators, artists and storytellers to entertain and provide relief to audiences worldwide. In working with our extraordinary festival partners and YouTube we hope that everyone gets a taste of what makes each festival so unique and appreciates the art and power of film.”

The Cannes Film Festival’s president Pierre Lescure and director Thierry Frémaux added: “We are proud to join with our partner festivals to spotlight truly extraordinary films and talent, allowing audiences to experience both the nuances of storytelling from around the world and the artistic personalities of each festival.”

Cannes that has ruled out the possibility of replacing its on-site event by an online version, is yet to unveil the new shape of its 71st edition.

The fate of many other film festivals and markets over the upcoming months is still uncertain due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

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