Sometimes the tyranny of distance can be frustrating for Australian movie lovers, particularly when major studios make us wait interminable months for international hits to screen locally. Thank goodness, then, for the Sydney Film Festival fast-tracking the good stuff every year.
Which is what made the news that SFF wasn’t going to happen in 2020 all the harder to bear. Now comes the infinitely better news that actually they are. They're joining forces with the major international film festival circuit big boys online.
Spearheaded by the Tribeca Film Festival and YouTube, the We Are One: A Global Film Festival is a ten-day digital platform showcasing amazing movies from every corner of the globe, all for free!
Launching on YouTube on May 29, SFF will join 20 of the world's biggest and brightest to present filmic treats from their global patches. They include grande dame Cannes, as well as key movie movers and shakers Sundance, Berlinale, TIFF and the Venice Film Festival.
Staggering news, It’s auspicious company for the Sydney Film Festival to keep. Artistic director Nashen Moodley calls it an unprecedented move. “The Festival is truly delighted to partner with these great festivals to celebrate our international community of storytellers and audiences,” he says. “Sydney Film Festival looks forward to presenting Australian cinema in this global arena, and to bring joy and entertainment to audiences in need of relief.”
It’s all part of the SFF mission, he says. “Over the past 67 years, SFF has been a platform for discovery, discussion, shared experiences and the exchange of ideas through film. In this challenging and uncertain climate, film is more vital than ever – bringing people together, online, to collectively explore the world and our times. Though we can’t be together in a cinema at the moment, we are excited to bring the festival, and other international film festival selections, to homes around the world.”
Tribeca co-founder Jane Rosenthal adds that movies are the ideal way to unite and inspire. “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.”
Pierre Lescure, President of the Cannes Film Festival, agrees, “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.”
While We Are One is totally free, there will be fundraising links. They are donating to the World Health Organization and local relief partners in each region. And if you’re keen to hear about the local angles first, sign up for the SFF eNews here.
