Top 10 Film Festivals and Prestigious Awards Worldwide

As the most prestigious accolade in the cinematic hub of Hollywood, the Academy Awards (Oscars) undoubtedly tops the list of the Top 10 Film Festivals and Prestigious Awards Worldwide. Commencing in 1929, the Oscars stand as the longest-running artistic awards ceremony in Hollywood and the world at large.

These awards are conferred by the critics of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, encompassing categories honoring directors, actors, production teams, and notably the Best Motion Picture of the year and Best Foreign Language Film. For every film and filmmaker, the golden Oscar statue remains the pinnacle of distinction in their careers.

In recent years, the Oscars have become even more captivating, with grandiose event organization and heightened attention from a vast viewership.

Renowned films winning Best Motion Picture: Moonlight, Birdman, Spotlight, 12 Years a Slave, Argo, No Country for Old Men, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, A Beautiful Mind, Titanic, Forrest Gump, The Godfather, Ben-Hur, Gone with the Wind...

Details:

• International Name: The Academy Awards/ The Oscars
  
• Country: United States
• Established: 1929
  
• Key Awards: Best Motion Picture, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Actor/Actress, Best Director
  

Established by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (an association of non-American journalists covering Hollywood news), the Golden Globe Awards is an internationally acclaimed awards ceremony, rivalling the Oscars in global attention. Annually, the Golden Globes are broadcasted live to over 150 countries, making it the world's second-most watched awards show, only after the Oscars and Grammys.

The Golden Globes is often seen as the 'pre-Oscar' awards, with many nominees and categories aligning with the Oscars. Over the years, films winning the Best Motion Picture category at the Golden Globes often go on to win the same category at the Oscars, exemplified by successes like Green Book, Moonlight, 12 Years a Slave, Argo... However, unlike the Oscars or Cannes, where only one film wins the top prize, the Best Motion Picture category at the Golden Globes is divided into two awards: one for drama and one for musical or comedy. Therefore, each year has two winners of the highest accolade.

Renowned films winning Best Motion Picture (Drama/Musical and Comedy): Moonlight, La La Land, The Revenant, The Martian, Boyhood, 12 Years a Slave, Les Miserables, Avatar, Lost in Transition, Titanic, The Lion King...

Details:

• International Name: Golden Globes
  
• Country: United States
  
• Established: 1944
  
• Key Awards: Best Motion Picture (Drama, Musical or Comedy, Foreign Language, Animated), Best Performance, Best Director
  

If the Oscars are hailed as the top film award, then the Cannes Film Festival stands as its counterpart: the number one film festival. Founded in 1946 in the city of Cannes, France, the Cannes Film Festival has become the most prestigious film festival, particularly for films of drama and artistry. The most esteemed award at the Cannes Film Festival is the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm). The Palme d'Or is regarded as equally, if not more, prestigious than the Best Motion Picture award at the Oscars.

Renowned films winning the Palme d'Or: Parasite, Shoplifters, The Square, Blue is the Warmest Color, The Pianist, Pulp Fiction, The Tin Drum, Apocalypse Now, Taxi Driver...

Details:

• International Name: Cannes Film Festival/le Festival international du film de Cannes
  
• Country: France
  
• Established: 1946
  
• Key Awards: Palme d'Or, Grand Prix, Prix d'interprétation, Prix de la mise en scène, Prix du scénario, Prix du Jury
  

Despite its late inception, the Toronto International Film Festival increasingly asserts its position, standing shoulder to shoulder with long-standing festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Berlin to secure a spot in the Top 10 Film Festivals and Prestigious Awards Worldwide. Held annually in September in the city of Toronto, Canada, not only is the Toronto International Film Festival the most reputable film festival in North America, but it has also become the largest film festival globally.

Films showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival include a plethora of dramas and artistic creations from Hollywood. Moreover, it features outstanding films from around the world and introduces innovative works from young directors, competing for the Best New Author award.

Unlike the Oscars or other film festivals, the most prestigious award at the Toronto International Film Festival is the People's Choice Award. This award is not determined by critics but by festival attendees. Many films winning the People's Choice Award have gone on to win or be nominated at the Oscars. Simultaneously, the Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) presents awards, akin to the Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, and Best Screenplay.

Famous films winning the People's Choice Award: Green Book, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, La La Land, Room, 12 Years a Slave, Silver Linings Playbook...

Renowned films winning Best Picture: Roma, Moonlight, Boyhood, No Country for Old Men, Lost in Translation...

Details:

• International Name: Toronto International Film Festival
  
• Country: Canada
  
• Established: 1976
  
• Key Awards: People's Choice Award, TFCA Awards (Best Picture, Best Director), First Runner Up
  

Venice Film Festival stands as the world's oldest film festival, established in 1932 and leading the way among film festivals. It was first organized by Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata of Italy, on the island of Venezia.

Today, Venice Film Festival remains a traditional and renowned film festival, alongside Cannes Film Festival, as the most important film festival in Europe. The top award at Venice Film Festival is the Leone d'Oro (Golden Lion). The Golden Lion award of Venice Film Festival is highly esteemed, equivalent to the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival.

Famous films winning the Leone d'Oro: Roma, The Shape of Water, Faust, Fireworks, Cyclo, Rashomon, Hamlet...

Details:

• International Name: Venice Film Festival/Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia
  
• Country: Italy
  
• Established: 1932
  
• Key Awards: Leone d’Oro, Leone d’Argento, Volpi Cup, Special Jury
  

Sundance Film Festival is acclaimed as the premier film festival in the United States, and the most prestigious for independent films. In contrast to the Oscars, which often spotlight films from major studios, Sundance Film Festival favors independent films. Hence, it's a thriving ground for independent Hollywood productions. Despite its relatively late establishment, Sundance Film Festival has risen to become one of the Top 10 film festivals and awards globally.

Famous films winning the Grand Jury Prize: The Birth of a Nation, Whiplash, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, The House I Live In, Winter's Bone

Details:

• International Name: Sundance Film Festival
  
• Country: United States
  
• Established: 1978
  
• Key Awards: Grand Jury Prize, Special Jury Award, Audience Award
  

Considered as the British Oscars, BAFTA Film Awards is the most prestigious award for film and television, presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Annually, BAFTA Film Awards take place just before the Oscars, about 1-2 months prior. Regarded as the British Oscars, BAFTA Film Awards closely resemble the Oscars in both awards and nominated films. Many films winning Best Film at BAFTA later won Best Motion Picture at the Oscars, such as 12 Years a Slave, Argo, The King's Speech... However, BAFTA includes additional awards for television, distinguishing it from other film awards and festivals.

Famous films winning Best Film: Roma, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, La La Land, The Revenant, Boyhood, 12 Years a Slave, Argo, The Queen, Shakespeare in Love...

Details:

• International Name: The British Academy of Film and Television Awards
  
• Country: United Kingdom
  
• Established: 1947
  
• Key Awards: Best Film, Outstanding British Film, David Lean Award for Director
  

Berlin International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most significant film festivals in Europe. Alongside Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, Berlin International Film Festival is classified as an A-list festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The prestigious award at Berlin International Film Festival is the Golden Bear, equivalent to the Golden Lion in Venice and the Palme d'Or in Cannes.

Famous films that won the Golden Bear: Taxi, Caesar Must Die, Spirited Away, The Thin Red Line, Sense and Sensibility, Rain Man, 12 Angry Men...

Details:

• International Name: Berlin International Film Festival
  
• Country: Germany
  
• Established: 1951
  
• Main Awards: Golden Bear (Best Motion Picture, Best Short Film), Silver Bear, The Grand Prix
  

Hong Kong Film Awards (commonly known as the Golden Statue Awards) is one of the most prestigious film awards in Asia. Established in 1982, Hong Kong Film Awards has become the highest film accolade in the Hong Kong and Chinese film community, making it the oldest film awards in Asia. The awards ceremony usually takes place in April each year. The most successful film at Hong Kong Film Awards is The Grandmaster directed by Wong Kar-wai.

Famous films that won the Best Film award: The Grandmaster, Kung Fu Hustle, Infernal Affairs, Shaolin Soccer, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Chungking Express, Police Story...

Details:

• International Name: Hong Kong Film Award
  
• Country: Hong Kong, China
  
• Established: 1982
  
• Main Awards: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor/Actress
  

And the final name in the Top 10 film festivals and prestigious film awards worldwide is the Tokyo International Film Festival. It is also one of the oldest film festivals in Asia. In Asia, Tokyo International Film Festival and the Shanghai International Film Festival are the only two festivals classified as A by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF).

Famous films winning the Tokyo Grand Prix: The Bloom of Yesterday, Intouchables, Amores Perros, The Blue Kite...

Details:

• International Name: Tokyo International Film Festival
• Country: Japan
• Established: 1985
• Awards: Tokyo Grand Prix, Special Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress