Festivals 2021: How Your Favorite Festivals Are Adapting To The Pandemic
Going Virtual
Going to the theater to catch the latest film release is becoming a thing of the past as more and more people turn to online streaming platforms. While this has been a thorn in the side of many an arthouse theater, it has also provided film festivals with the ability to shift and adapt during the covid-19 pandemic. By taking advantage of virtual screenings and videoconferencing technology, many film festivals have shifted to the virtual realm.
Newfest just wrapped their 2020 film festival with a virtual program including virtual films, social events, and even drive-in screenings. The 2021 Berlin Film Festival, which was supposed to take place February 11-21, is now doing an entirely virtual experience in March, with a physical edition taking place later in the summer. The Tribeca Film Festival is bringing feature and short films to countless online audiences, as well as introducing an immersive Virtual Arcade to elevate the artistic experience.
While going virtual has been a solution for many festivals, others have had to push back their events or abide by strict covid regulations in order to allow for in-person gatherings. Here are a few festivals that have had to pivot due to covid-19:
Sundance Film Festival: Jan 28 - Feb 3
The Sundance Film Festival is about experiencing films alongside other fans, which is something that Sundance is trying to continue even during the pandemic. Sundance is selling tickets through its website to screen the films virtually. They’ve scheduled live screenings that include an interactive waiting room with live chat, special content, and live post-screening Q&As. They also offer opportunities for second screenings available 48 hours later.
Sundance is also featuring New Frontier experiences where viewers can use their computer to engage with immersive audio and visual works. And if you want to attend an in-person screening, they’re partnering with a collection of arthouse cinemas, pop-ups, and drive-ins to screen their films in a venue compliant with covid regulations.
Sydney Festival: Jan 6 - 26
The Sydney Festival for music is celebrating a variety of artists through live experiences while following extensive covid regulations. They’re requiring all patrons to follow NSW Health guidelines and every patron 12 or older must wear a face mask at all times whether indoors or outdoors.
The Sydney Festival is also using the Service NSW app to track and monitor covid outbreaks. Patrons are encouraged to download the app and check in to the venues when attending. The app will then notify them if there is an outbreak at a location they’ve visited.
Certain venues within the Sydney Festival have enhanced hygiene and safety measures in place. For example, the Riverside Theatres have reduced audience capacity with socially distanced seating. They also provide hand sanitizer and handwashing facilities throughout the building.
Key West Food and Wine Festival: Jan 27 - Jan 31
Many food festivals have had to cancel their 2021 events entirely because of covid-19. The Key West Food and Wine Festival is still on for this year, working within the City of Key West and Monroe County guidelines to make sure their festival is as safe as possible.
They’re requiring face coverings at all times, with exceptions for when patrons are seated eating or drinking. They’re also asking patrons to socially distance from anyone outside their household. While they’re committed to rigorously cleaning and disinfecting their venues, they have also announced that they’re continuing to review their processes and procedures to make sure everyone stays safe.
ARCO Madrid: July 7 - 11
Many art fairs have had to push back their events to later in the year when it’s more conducive to international travel. IFEMA and the Organizing Committee of ARCOmadrid rescheduled their 2021 fair to the week of July 7-11th in order to give the galleries more time to prepare.
IFEMA has strict covid-19 safety protocols in place for all of their venues including mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing. They also have a reduced capacity, with trained staff who are on top of queue management and crowd control.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. When it comes to celebrating art, film, music, and food, festivals around the world are determined to find a way to keep the experience alive no matter what.