Cheapflights.com Readies for the Red Carpet

Great Cinema and Celeb Spotting at Our Top 10 Film Festivals Worldwide

Boston, MA – January 12, 2012 – With less than 10 days to go until the kick-off of Robert Redford’s world famous Sundance Film Festival, the film buffs here at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, are all abuzz. To help everyone gear up for the 2012 movie season, we have compiled our Top 10 Film Festivals Around the World. A one-of-a-kind experience, film festivals offer the opportunity to explore the art of filmmaking with other enthusiasts, listen to the creators talk about their work, visit an exciting destination and, of course, spot a celeb or two.

Find out what makes our team’s favorite cinema events unique with our list of Top 10 Film Festivals Around the World. If you’re keen to be among the first to screen some of 2012’s great new flicks, below are five film fests that you can catch over the next few months.

Sundance Film Festival - Park City, Utah, United States - Sundance Film Festival started out in 1978 as an event designed to attract more filmmakers to Utah while staying away from the overpowering Hollywood scene. Thirty-four years later, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States, exhibiting feature-length films, documentaries, shorts, and animation while fostering dialogues among film enthusiasts. This year, the festival will run from Jan 19-29 in Park City, Utah, showcasing 200 films whittled down from nearly 9,000 submissions. Can’t make it to the big event? On Jan 26, nine movie theaters across the United States will be hosting a filmmaker and his or her work as part of Sundance Film Festival USA, so you may be able to participate in the festivities wherever you are.

International Film Festival Rotterdam - Rotterdam, the Netherlands - Though it receives less tourist traffic than its neighboring city, Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a modern representation of Dutch culture, and its annual film festival is constantly paving the way for all genres of innovative and thought-provoking cinema. This year’s event will run from Jan 25 to Feb 5, and will encompass 19 screening venues – upwards of 350,000 viewers are expected to attend. Rotterdam attendees are passionate movie-goers, so program directors make a point of stripping down the superfluous aspects of film, like commercials and trailers, for an untarnished viewing experience.

Guadalajara Film Festival – Guadalajara, Mexico - Considered the most significant film affair in Latin America, Guadalajara Film Festival is an important cultural event, showcasing Mexican and Latino talent alongside other international works of cinematic art. Thanks to Guadalajara Film Festival, Latin American film has become a competitor in the global film industry. From March 2-12, over 100,000 film lovers are expected to flood the streets and theaters of Guadalajara, viewing close to 200 films. While not as chaotic as Mexico City, Guadalajara is a destination perfect for exploring colonial history, enjoying the Mexican culture, shopping street markets and savoring traditional regional cuisine.

Hong Kong International Film Festival - Hong Kong, China - The perfect blend of East Asian culture and a thriving global market, Hong Kong is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. It’s no wonder that the Hong Kong International Film Festival has become one of the largest in the world, and has bridged the gap between Asian cinema and the global film industry. This year’s event will take place from March 21 to April 5, showcasing more than 330 titles from 50 countries to an expected 600,000 viewers. Spread among more than 11 venues all around Hong Kong, including the Space Museum and City Hall, visitors get the chance to witness the latest works while exploring the vibrant city.

Berlin International Film Festival- Berlin, Germany - One of the most renowned film festivals in the world, the Berlin International Film Festival (also known as Berlinale) combines the glamor of filmmaking – parties, red carpet, high fashion – with the appreciation of cinematic art in a variety of genres. Divided into 10 separate sections, highlighting areas like experimental and avant-garde works, shorts geared towards younger generations, films focused around culinary themes and several others, there’s a place for all film admirers at Berlinale. This year’s festival will kick off on Feb 9 and last 10 days. It is expected that visitors from more than 115 countries will be in attendance to screen and discuss a variety of international films.

Planning to travel later in the year? The following five favorite film fests are celebrated in cities between May through September: Cannes International Film Festival – Cannes, France; Rooftop Films - New York, New York; Toronto International Film Festival – Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Venice International Film Festival - Venice, Italy, and the East End Film Festival – East London, United Kingdom. To find out more about these festivals and to read the complete list of Cheapflights.com’s Top 10 Film Festivals Around the World, visit www.cheapflights.com/travel-tips/film-festivals-around-the-world/.