The 2025 film festival circuit is shaping up to be an exciting year for filmmakers, distributors, and cinephiles alike. From prestigious premieres to key industry markets, here’s the latest calendar of major events where films will debut, deals will be made, and awards will be handed out.
🔴 Major A-List Festivals (Oscar-Qualifying & Acclaimed Premieres)
🎬 Sundance Film Festival
📍 Park City, Utah, USA
📅 January 23 – February 2, 2025
- The premier indie film festival, launching Oscar contenders and breakthrough cinema.
🎬 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale)
📍 Berlin, Germany
📅 February 13 – 23, 2025
- One of the “Big Three” (with Cannes & Venice), featuring competition, avant-garde films, and the European Film Market (EFM).
🎬 Cannes Film Festival
📍 Cannes, France
📅 May 14 – 25, 2025
- The most glamorous festival, home to Palme d’Or contenders and major market deals.
🎬 Venice Film Festival
📍 Venice, Italy
📅 August 27 – September 6, 2025
- A major launchpad for Oscar-season films, often featuring high-profile premieres.
🎬 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
📍 Toronto, Canada
📅 September 4 – 14, 2025
- The biggest public festival and a key Oscar predictor with many world premieres.
🎬 New York Film Festival (NYFF)
📍 New York City, USA
📅 September 26 – October 12, 2025
- Curated selection of prestige films, often hosting major awards contenders.
🟠 Key Film Markets (For Buyers & Sellers)
🎪 European Film Market (EFM) – Berlinale
📅 February 13 – 21, 2025
- Europe’s biggest film market, attached to the Berlin Film Festival.
🎪 Marché du Film – Cannes
📅 May 14 – 22, 2025
- The world’s largest film market, running alongside the Cannes Film Festival.
🎪 American Film Market (AFM)
📍 Santa Monica, USA
📅 November 5 – 12, 2025
- A major hub for independent film financing and distribution.
🎪 Hong Kong FILMART
📍 Hong Kong
📅 March 12 – 15, 2025
- Asia’s leading film & TV market, focusing on regional and international deals.
🟡 Major Genre & Regional Festivals
🎭 SXSW Film Festival
📍 Austin, Texas, USA
📅 March 7 – 15, 2025
- A mix of indie films, genre cinema, and tech innovations.
🎭 Tribeca Film Festival
📍 New York City, USA
📅 June 11 – 22, 2025
- Focus on storytelling, with strong documentary and VR sections.
🎭 Fantastic Fest
📍 Austin, Texas, USA
📅 September 18 – 25, 2025
- The world’s biggest genre film festival (horror, sci-fi, fantasy).
🎭 BFI London Film Festival
📍 London, UK
📅 October 8 – 19, 2025
- A major UK festival with a mix of arthouse and mainstream premieres.
🎭 Tokyo International Film Festival
📍 Tokyo, Japan
📅 October 28 – November 5, 2025
- Asia’s leading competitive festival, spotlighting regional cinema.
🟢 Emerging & Niche Festivals
- Rotterdam Film Festival (IFFR) – Jan 22 – Feb 2, 2025
- Karlovy Vary Film Festival – June 27 – July 5, 2025
- Sitges Film Festival (Horror/Fantasy) – Oct 2 – 12, 2025
- DOC NYC (Documentaries) – Nov 12 – 20, 2025
🔵 Awards Season & Industry Events
- Golden Globes – Jan 5, 2025
- Oscars Shortlist Announcements – Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
- Academy Awards (Oscars) – March 2, 2025
Final Notes
This calendar is subject to updates—some dates may shift slightly. Filmmakers should check official festival websites for submission deadlines (typically 6-8 months in advance).
Which festival are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
Would you like a more detailed breakdown on submissions or market strategies?