June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Do you know the best cure for a mediocre in-flight movie shown on a blurry TV paired with scratchy headphones you paid $1 to the flight attendant for?
Film festivals. Global destinations where stars, directors, and cinephiles converge on the red carpet, in the cinema and at after-parties. Film festivals come with built-in itineraries ranging from star watching and hobnobbing to classes for aspiring filmmakers and exclusive world premieres.
And perhaps the best part of film festivals taking place both domestically and abroad is that with few exceptions, the destinations themselves serve as the perfect backdrop for a vacation. It makes sense; if A-list celebs had their choosing, they’d rather globetrot to spots overflowing with fine dining, top-flight recreation options, and posh accommodations than sleepy towns and rust-belt cities with chain restaurants and strip mall shopping.
Here is a short list of the best film festivals combining world-class cinemas and destinations worth writing home about:
Toronto, Canada; Fall (September)
Many film festivals have evolved into movements, with eclectic offerings ranging from impactful charitable wings to more robust programming schedules that aren’t simply pigeonholed into one week or weekend a year. This is especially true of the Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF, which offers features ranging from year-round viewings of international film classics to a new program called Primetime, which brings top global TV programming to the big screen. Despite this growth, the festival itself is still TIFF’s most anticipated attraction. (1) Arguably the most influential of the film festivals in terms of Oscar influence, the Toronto Film Festival has played host to the following premieres since launching in 1976: “Chariots of Fire,” Sideways,” “The King’s Speech,” “Argo,” “Dallas Buyer’s Club” and more. (2) That’s a lot of acceptance speeches.
The largest city in Canada and fourth largest in North America, Toronto has nearly three million residents and is true melting pot of a city. (3) The city is quite walkable, especially in September when the festival takes place against moderate temperatures and changing foliage. Toronto offers a diverse array of attractions, ranging from Toronto Blue Jays baseball at the Rogers Centre to its booming theater district, which is the largest in Canada and considered the third biggest internationally only behind London and New York City. (4)
Know that a trip to the festival requires some proactive planning, as it’s considered the city’s busiest time of year. But there are a number of hotels accommodating a wide range of budgets within a quick trip of the festival’s screening sites and TIFF Bell Lightbox, the heart, and HQ of TIFF. On the high end, you’ll find the 5-Diamond winner Ritz-Carlton Toronto on Wellington Street West, as well as the SoHo Metropolitan, Hyatt Regency (the host hotel) and Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto. More budget-minded hotels located within close proximity of festival sites include The Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn. (5)
Venice, Italy; Fall
Being the first ever film festival certainly gives the Venice International Film Festival some clout. It also has a few other perks going for it: location, location, and location. Since 1932, the Venice Film festival has been drawing throngs from across the globe to celebrate film. The fall film fest is actually part of the larger Venice Biennale, founded in 1895, which plays hosts to festivals recognizing art, music, theater, architecture and dance. (6) Traditionally held in late August or early September, the festival takes place at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi, as well as other venues spread across Venice’s Lido Island. Recent films to have won the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion, include “Michael Collins” (Ireland, 1996), “Vera Drake” (The United Kingdom, 2004) and “The Wrestler” (The United States, 2008). (7)
Venice itself is a massive floating museum comprising more than 100 islands dotted across a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea – hence the unique infrastructure designed to help residents and tourists alike navigate the massive marshland. This includes 180 canals and 450 bridges designed to get residents and tourists alike from here to there. (8)
There is much more to do than take in cinema and sit back in Venice’s famous gondolas when visiting. Exploring the 200-plus ancient churches adorned with masterful artwork and sampling world-famous gelato should be included in any film festival itinerary. If you’re looking to book a spot with built-in celebrity sightings, try the Hotel Cipriani or Hotel Excelsior – and belly up to the bars of each. George Clooney and Harvey Weinstein are among the regulars. Those traveling on a budget may inquire about the availability of hostels and local university housing. (9)
Park City, Utah; Winter
Paul Newman has a charitable salad dressing empire. And Robert Redford has Sundance. What started three decades ago with a staff of 13, two screens and 86 films has bloomed into the largest of America’s film festivals, boasting nearly 200 films – that’s whittled down from a pool of 12,000 submissions – shown on nine screens and orchestrated by a staff of 230-plus. Both U.S. and international independent filmmaking are still at the heart of Sundance, and films have included the Coen brothers’ “Blood Simple” and Jim Jarmusch’s “Stranger than Paradise.” (10)
Founded in 1870, this former mining town of Park City rebounded as a thriving destination for the big screen spectators and outdoor sports. If you like to ski, you’re in the right spot. Located fewer than 40 miles from Salt Lake City, Park City took center stage in the 2002 Winter Olympics. But you don’t even need to travel to find great skiing, hiking and even snowshoeing adventures. It’s all right there.
So many of Park City’s rooms come with a view, but for the very best, check out Montage Deer Valley – a Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice 2015 Winner – as well as Hyatt Escala Lodge, Stein Eriksen Lodge and Newpark Resort & Hotel. If you’re seeking the ultimate in travel synergy, try booking a room at the Sundance Resort. It may be 45 minutes from Park City – transportation is included – but includes the unique perk of an onsite festival screening room. (11)
Cannes, France; Spring
Few film festivals pack the fanfare, tradition, and pomposity as Cannes. Movies vie for the Palme d'Or, awarded to best of the 20 “In Competition” Official Selection entries. In addition to this esteemed section of the festival, Cannes also features Cinéfondation for short and medium-length movies, Cannes Classics for restored films, tributes, and documentaries about filmmaking, as well as other selections and programs. Started in 1939 as a social event that happened to screen films, the film fest has evolved into the most revered screening vehicle for Oscar hopefuls – as well as perhaps the most anticipated red carpet other than the awards ceremonies themselves. (12) There are few if no other festivals where crowd cheers and boos turn into film industry headlines. Past Palme d'Or winners include “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “Apocalypse Now” and “Pulp Fiction.”
Nestled in the French Riviera, Cannes is all about luxury and may not be the best film festival for those seeking a budget-friendly itinerary. With a population of 70,000, Cannes has the feel of a big tourist town.
That said if Cannes still fits the bill, set your course for Nice, which is the closest major airport, and allow for enough time to explore Cannes’ manmade and natural seaside attractions outside the screening room, too. Or simply stroll down the Promenade de la Croisette, the famous waterfront thoroughfare packed with cafes and storefronts. As for lodging, if you’re seeking a unique service experience, try Hôtel de Mougins, which boasts a 2-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio. Hotel Thomas has a reputation for being user-friendly and runs a shuttle to and from the film festival sites. (13)
New York City, Spring
It already seems like one of those venerable film festivals that first started taking entries before the advent of talkies. Chalk it up to the NYC backdrop and one of the longest red carpets of any film fest. But the truth is that Tribeca launched in 2001 as a way to stoke tourism and revitalize the economy after the 9/11 attacks. Founded by a trio headlined by Robert De Niro, Tribeca has screened more than 1,600 films in its brief history, including the blockbusters “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” and “Spider-Man 3.” (14)
Tribeca, officially known as the Triangle Below Canal Street, became a refuge for artists seeking cheaper NYC digs in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Ironically, it’s now among the most expensive ZIP codes to live in America. (15)
Boutique shopping and start-up ventures are a hallmark of the area, as well as galleries including The Drawing Center, Suzanne Geiss Company, Postmasters, and Recess. (16) With NYC’s convenient public transit options, you don’t need to limit sightseeing and lodging to this lower Manhattan neighborhood. But if you want to roll out of bed and into the screening room, consider Tribeca Grand Hotel – the host venue of the festival – as well as The Greenwich Hotel, which offers more than a dozen luxury suites a 75-plus eclectically appointed rooms. Remember, it’s New York. It’s not going to be cheap. But you’ll also be just as likely to stumble into celebrities at world premieres as you will at a neighborhood dive bars and subway stops.
Telluride Colorado, Labor Day weekend
Cinema’s surprise party happens in a small ski town located in southwestern Colorado. The 40-year-old festival takes an interesting approach to marketing: it doesn’t release any screenings until the day the event begins. (17) Don’t worry, it’s not like you’re taking on potentially pricey airfare and accommodations to sneak a peek at John Stamos. The festival’s North American premieres include David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive” (2001), Michael Moore’s “Roger and Me” and Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” (2005). (18)
Come for the world-class movie premieres. Stay for the beaches, skiing and sophisticated city life. Film festivals provide the type of action adventure that usually only take place, well, on the big screen. There are two regional airports offering flights into the city: Montrose/Telluride Regional Airport and Telluride Regional Airport, which offer connections from Denver, Dallas, Phoenix and other major U.S. cities. (19)
There are hiking, biking and running trails-a-plenty in Telluride. One of the most popular treks, the 2.5-mile Bear Creek Trail, allows folks to hoof it or pedal through a 325-acre preserve. Wildlife viewing is also a popular sport; the Telluride ecology Commission has tips and tricks for catching sweet peeks from a safe distance. ( (21) & (22)) New Sheridan Hotel, The Peaks Resort & Lodge, Madeline Hotel are among the top spots for hitting the hay at the end of a long day.
So why spend a day at the movies when you can spend a weekend? Or an entire week. Film festivals are a great way to cultivate two interests: cinema and travel. And with a carefully planned itinerary, you can live out whatever adventure, drama or comedy you want, inside the theater and outside it, too.
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