A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies shares the backgrounds, the stories and the filmmakers that have influenced the festival circuit and the business of movies. Covering the films and players that helped shape the landscape, the podcast includes the backstories, video clips, box office totals and career trajectories for the filmmakers that helped define this industry.
Episode 17: The Grand Bolero - Gabriele Fabbro & Poppy Jasper Intl Film Festival
Welcome back to History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies — the show where we explore cinema not just through films… but through the festivals that gave them life.
Because films don't just appear.
They travel.
They struggle.
They find their audiences — often one screening at a time.
Today's episode takes us somewhere a little different. Not Berlin. Not Sundance. We've already covered most of the Top Tier festivals.
But to Morgan Hill, and Gilroy California…for the pjiff, which kicks off this week…April 8th
a festival built on a radically simple idea:
What if film festivals weren't about exclusivity, but about inclusion?
And to tell that story, we're following a film that embodies the indie spirit:
"The Grand Bolero" —
a haunting, intimate debut feature from Italian filmmaker Gabriele Fabbro.
Visit History of Film Festivals
7 Feb 2026
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Foutaises
Welcome to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies — the show where we explore how film festivals shaped cinema through one essential movie at a time.
Each episode is a pairing: a festival…and a film.
Today's pairing is pure discovery.
Our festival: Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, in France — the world's most influential short film festival.
And our film: Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Foutaises — the short that revealed a filmmaker who would go on to create one of the most beloved films of the modern era. the joy bomb that is Amélie.
To see the trailers for Jeunet's films, including Amelie, visit our On the Circuit substack page.
31 Dec 2024
Episode 15: Enchanted April - Mike Newell
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 15.
Enchanted April - directed by Mike Newell and the Palm Springs International Film Festival - which kicks off this week January 2 , and runs through the 13th.
Mike Newell is an English film and television director and producer, who won the BAFTA for Best Direction for Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), which also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film, and directed the films Donnie Brasco (1997) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Palm Springs International Film Festival, run by the Palm Springs International Film Society, has a focus on international cinema, along with its spectacular Awards Gala.
To read full transcript, see trailers and view resources, visit our On The Circuit substack page.
13 Nov 2024
Episode 14: Bowling for Columbine - Michael Moore
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 14.
Bowling for Columbine - directed by Michael Moore and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - which kicks off this week November 14, and runs through the 24th.
After bursting onto the scene with Roger & Me in 1989, Michael delivered what many consider to be his best work, Bowling for Columbine, in 2002. A commercial and critical success, this documentary brought Moore international acclaim and won many awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature, a special 55th Anniversary Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. The film is widely considered one of the greatest documentary films of all time.
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (also known as the IDFA) is the world's largest documentary film festival, and has been held annually since 1988 in Amsterdam. Now, more than ever, the documentary genre, particularly with social impact cinema, is most welcome to audiences around the world.
For more information, links to resources, videos and shownotes, visit our On the Circuit substack page.
6 Sept 2024
Episode 13: Short Cuts - Robert Altman
Welcome to a HOFF, in 100 movies episode 13 - Short Cuts by Robert Altman and the Venice International Film Festival (also known as the Biennale)
I’m excited to explore Altman's career, this terrific film, and a truly special event, the first film festival to ever take place.
22 Jul 2024
Episode 12: Thirteen - Catherine Hardwicke
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - Episode 12.
Thirteen, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and the Locarno International Film Festival.
Thirteen Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2003, and Hardwicke won the Sundance Directing Award for the film.
The Locarno Film Festival is a top tier international film festival, held annually in Locarno, Switzerland. Founded in 1946, the festival screens films in various competitive and non-competitive sections, including feature-length narrative, documentary, short, avant-garde, and retrospective programs.
We will be adding video clips, resource links and bonus materials to our On the Circuit Substack page Monday.
8 Jul 2024
Episode 11: Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench - Damien Chazelle
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 11: Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench - by Damien Chazelle, and the Tribeca Film Festival - which took place this past June.
After this film had its World Premiere and Chazelle’s numerous accolades, he was on his way to a future indie smash at Sundance, box office success, and Oscar glory.
Tribeca Film was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2002 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of Lower Manhattan following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. Until 2020, the festival was known as the Tribeca Film Festival.
For more info, resource links, and full transcript, visit our On the Circuit Substack page.
26 May 2024
Episode 10: Pulp Fiction - Quentin Tarantino
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 10.
Pulp Fiction - by Quentin Tarantino, and the Cannes Film Festival (Part II) - which finishes up this weekend on May 25th. We did cover part of the Cannes history with Wim Wenders, but thought we would share more today, as Pulp Fiction had such an impact at that Festival, 30 years ago in 1994.
A big winner at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994, Pulp Fiction has had a major influence on the industry, filmmakers, and film festivals.
To see the clips, sources and read the full transcript, visit our Substack page.
14 May 2024
Episode 9: The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 9.
The Hurt Locker - by Kathryn Bigelow, and the Seattle International Film Festival - which runs In Theaters May 9–19 (yes going on RIGHT NOW) and Streaming May 20–27
A big winner at SIFF, The Hurt Locker had an incredible run at the Oscars, which you will hear more about later.
The Seattle International Film Festival (AKA SIFF) has become one of the top 5 film festivals in the United States, annually presenting over 250 films across the city, and will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.
To see the clips, sources and read full transcript, visit our substack page here.
1 May 2024
Episode 8: Paris, Texas - Wim Wenders
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 8. Paris, Texas - by Wim Wenders and the Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 14th - 25th, 2024.
A big winner at the Cannes Film Festival in 1984, Paris, Texas has had a major impact on filmmakers, musicians and arts culture.
And the Cannes Film Festival is one of the "Big Three" major European film festivals, alongside the Venice Film Festival in Italy and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, as well as one of the "Big Five" major international film festivals, which consists of the three major European film festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, and the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, United States.
To see the clips, sources and full transcript, visit our substack page here.
14 Apr 2024
Episode 7: The Thin Blue Line - Errol Morris
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - This is Episode 7.
The Thin Blue Line - by Errol Morris, and the Hot Docs Film Festival - which runs April 25 - May 5th here in 2024.
One of the most influential documentaries ever made, The Thin Blue line ranks on virtually the documentary lists. And placed fifth on a Sight & Sound poll of the greatest documentaries.
The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is the largest and most important documentary festival in North America, though they are about to face a great challenge as festivals evolve in this new era of exhibition.
To see clips, sources and full transcript, visit our substack page here.
1 Apr 2024
Episode 6: Blood Simple - The Coen Brothers
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - Episode 6.
Blood Simple, directed by the Coen Brothers and the
New York Film Festival.
In this episode, I share the history of this dynamic duo, sharing insights and historical facts. You will hear audio trailers as well.
On the Festival side, I share the origins and evolution of one of America's top festivals, and how these storylines intersect.
For full transcripts, pod sources and to see the video clips, visit our substack page here.
18 Mar 2024
Episode 5: Us - Jordan Peele & South by Southwest
Welcome back to A History of Film of Film Festivals in 100 Movies.
We’re on episode 5 - US by Jordan Peele and SXSW, an event that truly celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education.
The event just wrapped its 37th year in Austin Texas this weekend. And yes, Jordan Peele was there! Why, we’ll get to that later.
For more details, transcript, links to videos and resources, visit:
https://onthefestcircuit.substack.com/s/a-history-of-film-festivals
4 Mar 2024
Episode 4: Lady Bird - Greta Gerwig
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies.
This is Episode 4: Lady Bird - directed by Greta Gerwig and Telluride Film Festival
As with the previous filmmakers shared on this podcast, Lady Bird was a low budget indie, taking film festivals by storm, in this case, premiering at the top tier Telluride Film Festival.
The movie would help Gerwig transition comfortably to the filmmaker’s chair, launching her career, that has continued to thrive, eventually leading to the Billion dollar Barbie juggernaut.
Here’s to hoping it does well at this week’s Oscar ceremony, even with the Academy snub…but we’ll get to that later. First a little personal backstory.
To see the full transcript, watch the video clips or explore the resources, visit our Substack page here:
https://onthefestcircuit.substack.com/s/a-history-of-film-festivals
19 Feb 2024
Episode 3: Before Sunrise - Richard Linklater
Welcome to a History of Film Festivals In 100 Movies, Episode 3 - Before Sunrise by Richard Linklater.
I’m your host, Jon Fitzgerald, and excited to explore this terrific film, and the Berlinale, one of the top film festivals in the world.
Ok, let’s dig into Episode 3.
In 1995, Before Sunrise played the Sundance Film Festival and was well received, but it would have an even greater impact the following month, at the Berlinale, (which happens to be going on right now).
4 Feb 2024
Episode 2: Memento - Christopher Nolan
Welcome back to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies - Episode 2.
Memento, directed by Christoher Nolan.
As with Sex Lies & Videotape, Memento is another great example of a low budget indie, taking film festivals by storm, and establishing an emerging filmmaker with a distinctive voice.
We’re going to explore how his story intersects with one of the best film festivals in the World, by any measure, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, which happens to be going on RIGHT NOW!
To see the video clips and trailers, dive into the sources or read the full transcript, visit our On the Circuit substack page here.
18 Jan 2024
Episode 1: Sex, Lies and Videotape - Steven Soderbergh
Welcome to A History of Film Festivals in 100 Movies. I’m excited to share our first episode - Episode 1 - Sex, Lies and Videotape, directed by Steven Soderbergh.
If you ask industry professionals, like myself, who’ve been in the business for 35 years or more, they will agree this film may have had the greatest impact on the state of independent film, when it hit the festival circuit in 1989. We’re going to explore how and why in this episode.
The story of how this movie had such an influence is forever linked to the film festival world itself, and two of it’s top events. Cannes and Sundance.
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