Film festivals around the world come together for a free 10-day YouTube movie event

We Are One: A Global Film Festival will encourage viewers to donate to Covid-19 relief efforts

Film festivals worldwide are teaming up to launch We Are One: A Global Film Festival, which will play out over 10 days and be available for free on YouTube. AP Photos

Film festivals from around the world are teaming up to bring a 10-day film festival to a screen near you.

Tribeca Enterprises – the organisation behind the Tribeca Film Festival – is partnering up with YouTube to launch We Are One: A Global Film Festival, which is set to run from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, June 7.

“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,” Jane Rosenthal, chief executive of Tribeca Enterprises, said in a statement.

Though free, the festival will encourage viewers to donate to the World Health Organisation's Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund, along with relief efforts in various parts of the world.

The festival’s programme has not been revealed yet. But it isn’t expected to host big-ticket Hollywood titles, rather the festival will feature a selection of arthouse films that were due to play in some of the biggest film festivals around the world this year, most of which have been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 20 festivals will contribute curated programming for the initiative including the Venice Film Festival, New York Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival Berlin International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival.

The advertising-free programme will include feature-length films, shorts, documentaries, as well as a series of conversations with filmmakers and actors.

“We Are One: A Global Film Festival unites curators, artists and storytellers to entertain and provide relief to audiences worldwide,” Rosenthal said. “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.”

Pierre Lescure and Thierry Fremaux of the Cannes Film Festival said they were proud to team up with other festivals to spotlight some “truly extraordinary films and talent, allowing audiences to experience both the nuances of storytelling from around the world and the artistic personalities of each festival.”