The Best Film Festivals – and Where to Stay

Taking over the Lido di Venezia from late August to mid-September each year, the Venice Film Festival sees industry bigwigs and film fans flock to the City of Water for ten days of cinematic celebration. With high-profile premieres attracting top-tier actors and directors, the red carpet is a place to see and be seen, just metres away from the Lido’s golden beaches.

Pair it with: Hotel Cipriani

From its Olympic-sized pool, floral gardens and Michelin-starred dining, Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca Island has become the ultimate place for stars to retreat to escape the brouhaha of daily festival life. Our hotel’s guest book is a who’s who of artistic glamour over the years, from Cary Grant to Cate Blanchett; join their ranks and take your poolside seat, Bellini in hand.

How many film festivals can say that they host premieres in a 4,500-seat ancient Greek theatre? The Taormina Film Festival couldn’t be held in a more picturesque destination – tick off The White Lotus filming locations by day and watch a considered curation of Italian and international films by night. The programme often injects added star power with a series of talks and premieres attended by the likes of Harrison Ford, Francis Ford Coppola and Nicole Kidman.

Pair it with: Grand Hotel Timeo

The most historic hotel in Taormina, Grand Hotel Timeo is linked directly to the ancient Greek theatre by a secret passageway. Here, old-world grandeur is paired with signature Sicilian style on the panoramic terrace as the sun sets each evening while you sip a spritz or two.

Located by the azure waters of Sestri Levante on the Italian coastline where pastel houses are dotted along the harbourside, the pioneering Riviera International Film Festival focuses on spotlighting directors aged under 35 and features documentaries about social and environmental issues. It’s a relatively new festival, beginning in 2017, but has quickly established itself; the industry is taking note, with recent jury presidents including Matthew Modine and Rufus Sewell.

Pair it with: Splendido Mare

A Ligurian gem situated on Portofino’s harbour – just a short journey from Sestri Levante – Splendido Mare is crafted with seaside charm. In previous years, the hotel has collaborated with the Riviera Film Festival with an annual event named ‘Cinema in Blu’, comprising of an open-air screening in Portofino’s famous piazzetta.

The crème de la crème of the film festival calendar, Cannes has been synonymous with glamour ever since its launch in 1946. Brimming with the best parties, most sparkling of stars and buzziest line-up of hotly tipped films, the waterfront promenade or ‘Croisette’ is aglow with excitement as Hollywood’s finest make their appearance on the famed red steps, the proverbial launch pad of many an icon over the decades.

Pair it with: Les Bateaux Belmond

Cannes is known to be one of the more frenetic film festivals, with the streets mobbed with film fans jostling for a glimpse of their favourite star. After the festival ends, get away from it all with an ultra-exclusive, luxury boat trip paired with a personally curated itinerary along the canals of Camargue or Provence, just a short drive away from the Riviera, with Les Bateaux Belmond.