Four rival film festivals unite in face of coronavirus

The rival fall film festivals of Toronto, New York, Telluride and Venice have set to cooperate rather than compete in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This year, we’ve moved away from competing with our colleagues at autumn festivals and commit instead to collaboration. We are sharing ideas and information. We are offering our festivals as a united platform for the best cinema we can find,” they said in a joint statement.

“We’re here to serve the filmmakers, audiences, journalists and industry members who keep the film ecosystem thriving. We need to do that together," the statement added.

The novel coronavirus first emerged in China late last year and has now infected millions of people and killed hundreds of thousands across the world.

The pandemic impacted many events and forced the cancellation or the postponement of many festivals.

The fall festivals will take place as a physical event, albeit to different degrees.

This year’s editions of the festivals will see first-time digital platforms and slimmed-down lineups.

SQ/MG