27/04/2020 - The festival, set to kick off on 29 May, is organised by the "Big Three" (Cannes, Venice, Berlin) alongside San Sebastián, Karlovy Vary, London, Locarno, Sarajevo and Annecy, among other partners

Over the last few months, the unprecedented pandemic has thrown the film industry and the international festival circuit into chaos. Today, as a response to the ongoing crisis, US outfit Tribeca Enterprises and YouTube have announced the creation of a unique international online festival, called We Are One: A Global Film Festival and set to kick off on 29 May. The initiative, first reported by the trade publication Screen International, will be made possible thanks to the close co-operation between a number of prestigious festival partners, including Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Toronto, New York, San Sebastián, Karlovy Vary, London, Locarno, Guadalajara, Macao, Jerusalem, Mumbai, Marrakesh, Sarajevo, Sydney, Tokyo, Annecy and, obviously, Tribeca.

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The full line-up will be announced in due course, but it has been confirmed that it will include a wide selection of features, shorts, music, comedy and conversations. The entire programme will be streamed free of charge, and the audience’s voluntary donations will be aimed at supporting the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund as well as the local relief partners’ efforts in fighting the outbreak.

Speaking about this new venture, Cannes president Pierre Lescure and Artistic Director and General Delegate Thierry Frémaux said: “We are proud to be joining with our partner festivals to spotlight 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.” Meanwhile, Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal added: “All of the world needs healing right now. We Are One: A Global Film Festival unites curators, artists and storytellers to entertain and provide relief to audiences worldwide. 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.” Watch this space.