Film Guides / Awards and festivals

Awards and festivals

How the Oscars, Cannes, Venice, Berlin and the Red Sea International Film Festival actually work.

Festivals launch films and awards shape careers. These guides explain who votes, what the prizes are called, how films get selected and why the calendar of the year in cinema looks the way it does.

5 guides in this topic

Interior of the Berlinale Palast auditorium with its tiered balconies

AwardsThe Berlin International Film Festival explainedThe Berlinale is the big European festival that ordinary film fans can actually attend. Learn its sections, the Golden and Silver Bears, and how it compares with Cannes and Venice.

The Palais des Festivals et des Congres on the Cannes seafront

AwardsThe Cannes Film Festival explainedCannes is the world's most prestigious film festival. Learn how films are selected, what the Palme d'Or is, how the sections differ and whether ordinary film fans can attend.

Exterior of the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard

AwardsThe Oscars explainedWho votes for the Academy Awards, how a film qualifies, how Best Picture is counted and why the ceremony moves the box office.

Traditional coral-stone houses with wooden balconies in Al Balad, the historic district of Jeddah

AwardsThe Red Sea International Film Festival explainedHeld in Jeddah's historic Al Balad district, the Red Sea International Film Festival is the leading film festival in Saudi Arabia. Here is its history, its Yusr awards and how it supports new filmmakers.

The Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido of Venice

AwardsThe Venice Film Festival explainedVenice is the oldest film festival in the world. Here is how it works, what the Golden Lion and Volpi Cup are, and why its late-summer premieres so often lead to awards season success.