Be inspired by screenings, network with like-minded individuals, and learn from industry professionals at a film festival. We pick out nine to catch this autumn.
Aesthetica Short Film Festival
November 8 to 12
Now in its 13th year, this international film festival, which takes place annually in York, UK, is a celebration of independent film from around the world and an outlet for supporting and championing filmmaking. Discover the best new independent cinema from across the globe, attend world-class masterclasses, and learn from industry leaders. We recommend checking out the masterclasses Working with a Budget: Financing Your Film; Film4: From Shorts to Features and Women in Cinema: Building Careers Behind the Camera. The festival will also run online from 8 to 30 November.
BFI London Film Festival
October 4 to 15
Discover the world’s best new films, series, and immersive storytelling at the BFI London Film Festival, which runs at venues in London, around the UK, and on BFI Player. With an impressive program to dive into, we recommend catching one of the Screen Talks – where Greta Gerwig, Martin Scorsese, and Emerald Fennell are among the speaker line-up – and catching the Special Presentations and LFF Awards. There are also a number of short films to be inspired by.
Chicago International Film Festival
October 11 to 22
With more than 100 feature films and 60 short films from around the world screening across the city, the 59th Chicago International Film Festival showcases a range of films to inspire you. If you’re attending this Academy Award-qualifying film festival, make sure you check out the Industry Days, where you can meet with executives, agents, and producers in the festival’s roundtables, informative panel conversations, masterclasses, networking events, and more.
New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival
October 12 to 24
Founded in 1988, NewFest is New York’s largest presenter of LGBTQ+ film and media and the largest convener of LGBTQ+ audiences in the city. Ensuring LGBTQ+ stories are seen, heard, and celebrated, this festival focuses on screenings - with a variety of genres including documentary, comedy, thriller, and experimental. Director Francis Lee will be presented by Kate Winslet the inaugural World Queer Visionary Award.
A few other international film festivals to catch in October:
El Gouna Film Festival
October 13 to 20
Find out more
Raindance Film Festival
October 25 to November 4
Find out more
Rome Film Festival
October 18 to 29
Find out more
SCAD Savannah Film Festival
October 21 to 28
Find out more
Tokyo Film Festival
October 23 to November 1
Find out more
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