What is a key role of film festivals?

Film festivals serve as a vital platform for filmmakers, offering opportunities to showcase their work to a broader audience and industry professionals. They promote networking by bringing together directors, producers, critics, and audiences, fostering connections that can lead to collaborations and support for independent projects. The environment of a festival encourages dialogue about creativity and innovation in filmmaking, allowing for the exchange of ideas and artistic expressions. This aspect of festivals is essential because it highlights the importance of independent cinema, diversity in storytelling, and the support of new talent in the industry, rather than focusing solely on commercially successful mainstream films or box office performance.