This text offers a systematic and authoritative introduction to the subject of film festivals. Individual essays are organized into coherent sections on the history, theory, method, and practice of film festival studies. Providing students with a solid overview of the study of film festivals; it begins with the emergence of the major ‘A’ list film festivals in Europe, before going on to discuss the key theoretical frameworks for understanding film festivals, exploring the methods of ethnographic and archival research, and then looking more closely at the dynamics of prominent festival practices. It is ideal for students preparing to design and conduct their own research on a film festivals.

The last decade has witnessed an explosion of interest in film festivals, with the field growing to a position of prominence within the space of a few short years. Film Festivals: History, Theory, Method, Practice represents a major addition to the literature on this topic, offering an authoritative and comprehensive introduction to the area. With a combination of chapters specifically examining history, theory, method and practice, it offers a clear structure and systematic approach for the study of film festivals.

Offering a collection of essays written by an international range of established scholars, it discusses well-known film festivals in Europe, North America and Asia, but equally devotes attention to the diverse range of smaller and/or specialized events that take place around the globe. It provides essential knowledge on the origin and development of film festivals, discusses the use of theory to study festivals, explores the methods of ethnographic and archival research, and looks closely at the professional practice of programming and film funding. Each section, moreover, is introduced by the editors, and all chapters include useful suggestions for further reading.

This will be an essential textbook for students studying film festivals as part of their film, media and cultural studies courses, as well as a strong research tool for scholars that wish to familiarize themselves with this burgeoning field.