June Highlights: our top 5 film festivals
June – the film festival season is coming to an end, while summer and, hopefully, many open-air screenings are around the corner. We are festively starting June with the second part of IFFR’s 50th edition. In the meantime and afterward, we travel (digitally, of course!) to England for Sheffield DocFest, to Germany for Berlinale, and the Japanese film festival Nippon Connection. To finish our June Highlights with Tribeca in New York.
In this article, we highlight five film festivals. Block June already in your calendar, because there is a lot of good stuff coming up! We also invite you to join our daily Fiona Talks, from June 1st to June 11th – come to have a chat with us!
International Film Festival Rotterdam (June 1 – 6)
The second part of IFFR’s 50th-anniversary edition is ready for take-off: tickets can be purchased right now – view the full IFFR program ➡️
Again, they have compiled an amazing program – below you find our top 3 films from their selection. This time, they will provide both online and on-site screenings throughout Rotterdam (only accessible with a negative coronavirus test). Be aware that their official film selection can only be viewed within The Netherlands. Their program section “Big Talks” and “IFFR Daily Stream” can be watched worldwide though.
1. The World to Come
A romantic love drama by Norwegian director Mona Fastvold. The story takes place on the American frontier. By chance two women get to know each other, they forge a close friendship that turns into more than friendship, but will it last? More about The World to Come >
2. Poupelle of Chimney Town
An animated family film by Japanese director Hirota Yusuke. The central theme in the story is climate change, told in a very gentle, imaginative way: a garbage monster helps a young boy and his friends discover the truth behind their dark and isolated existence. More about Poupelle of Chimney Town >
3. Fabian oder Der Gang vor die Hunde
Director Dominik Graf does it again: in Fabian oder Der Gang vor die Hunde, he forges a quirky and stylish whole from a wide range of cinematic resources. This portrayal of Kästner’s autobiographical interwar classic Fabian takes you in rapid succession from one scene to the other. As if you are part of the story. More about Fabian oder Der gang vor die Hunde >
Nippon Connection (June 1 – 6)
The 21st edition of Nippon Connection – the Japanese Film Festival is taking place from Frankfurt am Main. This year again as an online festival with more than 80 short and feature-length films to enjoy via video on demand. Not only from your seat in Germany but worldwide! At least, some of the films – check out here which films and events are available at your location.
Besides films, Nippon Connections is all about Japan, providing online music events and cooking courses. As they say it themselves: Welcome to virtual Japan, welcome to Nippon Connection 2021!
Sheffield Doc Fest (June 4 – 13)
Sheffield’s 28th edition will take place on-site in Sheffield, as well as online (for UK audience only). Films in their online program “Selects” will be released on the same schedule as their physical cinema screening in Sheffield – only with negative test results. Most of their industry events will be hosted via Zoom or be live-streamed.
Berlinale (June 9 – 20)
The oldest of the bunch: Berlinale celebrates the second part of its 71st edition. Their industry program took place mainly last February, so the second part of focuses on their audience and community program. They are showing it: with open-air cinemas in 16 locations throughout the city, they are rocking their 2021 hybrid edition.
Tribeca (9 – 20)
The oldest of the bunch: Berlinale celebrates the second part of its 71st edition. Their industry program took place mainly last February, so the second part of focuses on their audience and community program. They are showing it: with open-air cinemas in 16 locations throughout the city, they are rocking their 2021 hybrid edition.
More film festivals in June
That’s not all – these were just our highlighted film festivals! In June, these film festivals will also take place: Malaga Film Festival, FIPADOC in Biarritz (France), Edinburgh Film Festival, Brussel International Film Festival, and Munich International Film Festival.
Fiona Talks: we invite you to participate!
From June 1 to 11, we will host daily Fiona Talks. Every day from 2 – 3 p.m. (CET), you can virtually knock on our door to have a chat with us. We like to share our expert knowledge about topics like:
? — Tips on improving a festival organization by smart, user-friendly software
? — How to realize a (partially) online festival program
ℹ️ — Any questions you have about festival management and IT
