More than 20 film festivals around the world have joined together to stream movies for free on YouTube after the coronavirus pandemic has cancelled film festivals worldwide.
We Are One: A Global Film Festival is set to run between May 29 and June 7 on YouTube, and will feature programming by the chosen festivals, including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto International, Berlin International, Tribeca, and Venice film festivals.
The 10-day event will showcase a selection of feature films, shorts, documentaries, music, comedy, and panel discussions. Details of the programming are yet to be announced. Viewers will be asked to make donations for COVID-19 relief, which will go towards the World Health Organisation and local organisations across the world.
Also curating programmes will be Annecy International Animation, BFI London, Guadalajara International, International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM), Jerusalem, Mumbai (MAMI), Karlovy Vary Internationa, Locarno, Marrakech International, New York, San Sebastian International, Sarajevo, Sydney, and Tokyo International film festivals.
In a joint statement on Monday (April 27), Cannes Film Festival president Pierre Lescure and director Thierry Frémaux said: “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.”
Jane Rosenthal, head of Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival, added: “We Are One: A Global Film Festival unites curators, artists, and storytellers to entertain and provide relief to audiences worldwide. 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.”
You can find out more about the event here.