The Sydney Film Festival has become one of 20 major international film festivals to join the We Are One global film festival. The festival will run through YouTube as a free 10-day digital festival, beginning on May 29.
Tribeca will lead the festival, which will include submissions from other high-profile festivals including Cannes, Toronto and Sundance. The organisers of We Are One have emphasised the importance of such an event, citing the value of audiences observing other cultures and generating meaningful connections with films and one-another.
We Are One will also serve as a fundraising effort, assisting relief efforts for those affected by COVID-19. Audiences will be able to donate towards the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as local relief partners in each region. “We often talk about film’s uniquely powerful role in inspiring and uniting people across borders and differences to help heal the world. All of the world needs healing right now,” said Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal.
The representation of Australian cinema in this unprecedented global event is cause for much excitement in the film community. Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley said, “The Festival is truly delighted to partner with these great festivals to celebrate our international community of storytellers and audiences. Sydney Film Festival looks forward to presenting Australian cinema in this global arena, and to bring joy and entertainment to audiences in need of relief. “Though we can’t be together in a cinema at the moment, we are excited to bring the Festival, and other international film festival selections, to homes around the world.”
We Are One: A Global Film Festival will run from May 29 to June 7 on YouTube.com/WeAreOne. Programming will be available for free, and will include films, shorts, documentaries, music, comedy and conversations.
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