While all large, major gatherings are being shut down for what could be the rest of the year, companies are pivoting to virtual efforts to stay on schedule with events.
As many film festivals have been canceled and postponed, video streaming platform YouTube is stepping up to partner with several brands to produce a global virtual film festival.
The event — titled “We Are One: A Global Film Festival” — is being produced and organized by New York’s Tribeca Enterprises, according to Variety.
“We Are One: A Global Film Festival unites curators, artists and storytellers to entertain and provide relief to audiences worldwide,” Jane Rosenthal, Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder and CEO, shared in a statement. “In working with our extraordinary festival partners and YouTube we hope that everyone gets a taste of what makes each festival so unique and appreciates the art and power of film.”
Variety also reports the YouTube-sponsored event will feature programming from 20 of the world’s most famous film festivals including, the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival.
Aside from all the cancellations, the free virtual event was proposed to help the world heal during this time.
“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 Rosenthal.
YouTube is teaming up with these festivals to ensure the film community is properly acknowledged during this time.
“One of the most unique and inspiring aspects of the world staying home is our ability to come together and experience an event as one, and We Are One: A Global Film Festival is just that,” Robert Kyncl, chief business officer of YouTube, said in a press release.
The online film festival is scheduled to run from May 29 – June 7, 2020, and will be available at youtube.com/weareone.
