Film Festival attendance?

[Captain Catnip]

Have any of you ever gone to a film festival? H and I have gotten into movies a lot more the last few years (it seems to go in waves with him) and we were toying with the idea of going to a film festival. H has never flown and I doubt that will change any time soon, so I was starting to look at Tribeca and Toronto IFF. 

Have any of you been to either? Any suggestions, recs, etc? I am open to other festivals, too, but these two seem to be the most feasible because they are driveable. We are in Pittsburgh.

I might be slow to respond but I will be back. Thanks

[tacokick]

Not a huge one but I’ve been to the Maryland film festival many times. It’s a lot of fun and I’ve met and talked to a lot of famous actors and directors waiting in line for popcorn and showings.


I did go to Tribeca years and years ago and it was fun but a lot bigger and more anonymous. I actually liked the Maryland one better because it was less formal.

[Jalapeñomel]

I’ve been to a couple in NY (Tribeca). It’s fun!

[mrsslocombe]

Without a press pass, screenings at Tribeca are significantly easier to get into than TIFF.

TIFF will have more "big name" movies, many studios debut the films that they are going to push for awards there. TIFF has way more red carpet events, bigger stars, etc. But tickets are VERY expensive for screenings, especially the big name ones, and demand is very high.

I'm not sure what Tribeca will look like this year. Because of the pandemic, the past few years the screenings have been more spread out, more outdoor events, etc. Some of the theaters they used to use have closed. You have a few ticketing options: there are expensive "all access"-type passes that will get you into almost anything you want. Or you can buy packs of tickets. Or you can buy tickets for individual screenings. The films at Tribeca are more on the "indie" side, and a lot of films without distribution.

There's also the New York Film Festival, which is late September. Most screenings are at Lincoln Center. It has less of a "festival" atmosphere IMHO, but they get a lot of big awards contenders.

[sdlaura]

We’ve been to Sundance in Park City. We first went like 15 years ago and it was so easy to get tickets and see the actor/director Q & A’s. But then we went back a couple times since then and it was way more crowded and harder to get tickets to movies that weren’t at weird times and venues. Still fun though!

[Captain Catnip]

Mar 14, 2023 10:07:41 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

We’ve been to Sundance in Park City. We first went like 15 years ago and it was so easy to get tickets and see the actor/director Q & A’s. But then we went back a couple times since then and it was way more crowded and harder to get tickets to movies that weren’t at weird times and venues. Still fun though!

Sundance is one we would love to go to, but since H won't fly...I don't know if that will ever happen.


I wish I could see pricing from last year at the very least for TIFF. I did find pricing for Tribeca.

[mrsslocombe]

Mar 14, 2023 10:09:54 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

Mar 14, 2023 10:07:41 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

We’ve been to Sundance in Park City. We first went like 15 years ago and it was so easy to get tickets and see the actor/director Q & A’s. But then we went back a couple times since then and it was way more crowded and harder to get tickets to movies that weren’t at weird times and venues. Still fun though!

Sundance is one we would love to go to, but since H won't fly...I don't know if that will ever happen.


I wish I could see pricing from last year at the very least for TIFF. I did find pricing for Tribeca.

www.thegate.ca/film/055038/tiff-2022-key-dates-packages-and-prices/

[Captain Catnip]

Mar 14, 2023 10:16:14 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Mar 14, 2023 10:09:54 GMT -5 Captain Catnip said:

Sundance is one we would love to go to, but since H won't fly...I don't know if that will ever happen.


I wish I could see pricing from last year at the very least for TIFF. I did find pricing for Tribeca.

www.thegate.ca/film/055038/tiff-2022-key-dates-packages-and-prices/

<3 thank you! I searched last night but never found this. 

[wanderingback]

Yes. They’re fun.
I was actually recently on a panel after a film during a film festival.
Just get tickets and figure out which films you want to see and enjoy.

[pinkdutchtulips]

Years ago I went to the SFIFF. I was at the premiere of the Rolling Stones tour film shot entirely in IMAX (so this was the early 90's) Stones at the MAX. It was alot of fun. My bf at the time was a film student at SF State and I was working at a video store. 

I usually check out what is playing at the Mill Valley FF. If something jumps out at me, i'll check out tickets. 

[Captain Catnip]

Thanks everyone! I guess I didn't realize that there would be packages etc. That makes it sort of easier?