Even better, these cinematic celebrations just so happen to be stationed in a selection of the world’s greatest locales. Here’s our pick of the best film festival cities – hopefully it will encourage flicks fanatics to spend some time outside of the cinema.
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1 Cannes
First up is Cannes, which easily attracts the most glamorous guests. Everyone wants to be seen at this festival, where a constellation of stars premiere their newest work. Cannes has a long history of pulling power, having earned a name for itself in the Fifties with the attendance of big celebs including Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, and Cary Grant. Nowadays, it’s the place to spot the Hollywood-royal likes of Brangelina and George Clooney.
With such dazzling folk flitting about the place, Cannes has to try to live up to the bling. And it does so handsomely, boasting gorgeous palm-tree-lined beaches and superyachts bobbing smugly on the sparkling French Riviera.
For a night out, you could have a stab at getting into Le Palais (palais-club.com). Set in the heart of Palais des Festivals – housing the red carpet, auditorium and stage where the film festival takes place – only the good-looking and super-fashionably dressed will pass the strict door policy (kind of like trying to get into Embassy in London to have a chance at snogging a footballer, only classier).
If this doesn’t sound like your bag, head to Le Sub 7 (5 Rue du Dr Gerard Monod) instead, where there’s no cover charge and failing to be spectacularly rich and good-looking isn’t tantamount to a disability. The cocktail list is long, there are 350 whiskies on offer, and the draught selection is generous.
By day, check out the historical quarter and seek out the free beach on Plages du Midiand Plages de la Bocca.
See: cannes.travel
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2 Toronto, Canada
The world’s leading publicly attended film festival, Toronto has garnered a reputation for creating “Oscar buzz”, having premiered the likes of Black Swan, American Beauty, The Wrestler and 127 Hours.
An impressively multicultural food scene and great shopping should keep you occupied outside of screenings; also make the pilgrimage to the observation deck of the CN Tower and a daytrip to Niagara Falls.
See: seetorontonow.com
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3 Berlin
In keeping with its ultra-hip-and-arty rep, the Berlin Film Festival highlights experimental and avante-garde cinematic works, as well as your more conventional commercial juggernauts.
As a travel destination, Berlin’s cutting-edge cool is still going strong, with skinny-jeaned Shoreditch types shamelessly salivating all over its art-squat scene and progressive nightlife. But make sure you create time for the city’s history, too.
See: visitberlin.de/en
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4 Park City, Utah
Champion of indie flicks, Sundance – responsible for the success of great underdogs including The Wackness, Winter’s Bone and Precious – is held in popular ski town Park City.
Although the 2012 film fest finished last week, this gives you enough time to perfect your snowplough for 2013 and make the most of the city’s winter offerings. If you’re just curious about the place itself, spring is great for biking in the encircling mountains, and Salt Lake City is just down the road.
See: visitparkcity.com
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5 Guadalajara, Mexico
The biggest film festival in Latin America, this is an important cultural event in the city, attracting more than 100,000 film fans and showcasing the best in contemporary Mexican and Latino talent.
For holidaymakers, Guadalajara is a sunny delight of pretty fountains, stylish coffee houses and pumping nightclubs. Streets lined with restored colonial mansions make for pleasant shady wanderings; tequila, mariachi bands and tacos are in abundance.
