Art in Times of Corona: We are One - A Global Film Festival

In 2020 hardly anything seems normal, that goes for practically all cultural and creative disciplines. Covid-19 measures have hit the sector badly in all corners of the world. That is no different for film festivals. Worldwide film festivals have been cancelled, postponed or have been turned into online initiatives. These uncertain times call for solidarity with all those affected by the pandemic, including the cultural sector which is struggling hard in many countries. Therefore major film festivals across the globe have decided to join forces with YouTube and organise a free ten-day online film festival: We Are One: A Global Film Festival.

The initiative is a collaboration with more than twenty film festivals from all over the world, produced and organised by Tribeca Enterprises in New York. The festival takes place from 29 May to 7 June 2020 on YouTube. The individual film festivals, including Cannes, Toronto, Sundance Film Festival, Berlinale and Venice Film Festival, will curate their own programming. In addition to feature films, short films, documentaries and music films will also be screened and panel discussions will take place. Although the films are available for free, the filmmakers do receive a fee for their work.

Viewers are asked to donate to the COVID-19 Solidarity Fund of the World Health Organization (WHO) and local aid organisations worldwide. The event is not intended as a replacement for the stand-alone festivals.

“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. Through We Are One: A Global Film Festival , audiences will not only get a peek into different cultures through a new lens, they’ll be able to support local communities by directly donating to organizations helping the relief efforts for those affected by COVID-19,” reads the Tribeca Enterprises website.

IFFR supports UNHCR
International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the Dutch party to join the initiative has chosen to support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a global organisation determined to save the lives of refugees.

The participating festivals are: Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Guadalajara International Film Festival, International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM), International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), Jerusalem Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, 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 the Venice Film Festival.