Film festivals unite virtually on YouTube

Cannes, Tribeca, Sundance and Venice Film Festivals are among those connecting in a virtual 10-day film festival to be hosted on YouTube and streaming free to cinema fans everywhere. 

Due to Covid-19 shuttering film festivals around the globe, YouTube has partnered with 20 organisations to stream an online festival set to run from 29 May to 7 June.  

We Are One: A Global Film Festival is a digital alternative to the otherwise live events that would have taken place before the lockdown and global pandemic causing widespread disruption.  

The virtual event will raise funds for the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund and other affiliated charities working to reduce the spread of coronavirus with donations collected by the UN Foundation (UNF).  

Some 20 film festivals including BFI London Film Festival, Jerusalem Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival and Marrakech International Film Festival, as well as Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and Venice Film Festival will be broadcast for the event.  

YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl said: “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. 

“Along with Tribeca Enterprises and our incredible partners, we are bringing fans the opportunity to experience the curated programming each of these festivals provides as part of our ten-day long event. 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.” 

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Tribeca Enterprises have organised and produced the event aiming to bring together an international community of storytellers to present festival programming for free to audiences around the world.  

In a statement announcing the virtual festival the organisers said “core to the DNA of film festivals is the belief that artists and creators have the power to bring people together and create meaningful connections during a time when the world needs it most.” 

 We Are One: A Global Film Festival aims to offer audiences a peek into different cultures and the opportunity to support local communities by directly donating to organisations helping the relief efforts for those affected by Covid-19. 

Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder and chief executive Jane Rosenthal said: “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.”  

Programming will be available for free, and will include films, shorts, documentaries, music, comedy, and conversations. A full schedule will be available closer to the festival start date. 

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