While the world is undergoing a lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic and all public events including musical events, cinema and film festivals have come to standstill, a global online film festival “We Are One", is being organised with the participation of a
This first ever online film festival is co-curated by over 20 film festivals from across the world and the funds will be given to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 relief work.
The renowned festivals that are taking part in the Global Film Festival are Locarno Film Festival,
Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Rotterdam Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Guadalajara International Film Festival, International Film Festival and Awards Macao (IFFAM), Jerusalem Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR), San Sebastian International Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and Venice Film Festival.
The ad-free programming is to include movies, shorts, documentaries, music, comedy and discussions related to cinema.
Issuing a statement on this novel concept Tribeca Enterprise's Chief Executive Jane Rosenthal said, ‘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’ she added.
‘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,’ said Rosenthal.
‘It’s an event that’s never been done before and we’re proud to be the home for this fantastic content that is free to fans around the world’ YouTube’s chief business officer Robert Kyncl has told the media.
‘One of the most unique and inspiring aspects of the world staying home is our ability to come together and experience an event as one, and We Are One: A Global Film Festival is just that,’ he has said.
Prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s President Pierre
Lescure has said “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,”.
Joining the festival Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland stated, “We Are One: A Global Film Festival will allow the audience to see the world at a time when even going to one’s backyard seems like a journey. Through YouTube and the festivals’ offerings, it will be possible to peek at cultures, get acquainted with new artists, investigate art forms, share new perspectives and listen to new reflections, courtesy of the feature films, shorts, documentaries, music, conversations and everything else the various festivals, including the Locarno Film Festival, will contribute with in the weeks to come.”
‘We are Locarno, and We Are One. Locarno is one of festivals that immediately said ‘yes’ to the Global Film Festival, an initiative by Tribeca Entrerprise and YouTube that aims to create one big online event to ideally and cinematically shatter down the barriers imposed by COVID-19 all over the world’ the statement noted.
‘It is a one-of-a-kind event, spawned by the spirit that brings together all those entities that, like the Locarno Film Festival does, believe in cinema and all arts. Such a spirit comes with the belief that authors, artists and their work are bridges connecting audiences and cultures, even when distance prevents it,’ it added.