International Film Festivals are the display and the grand meeting of the cinematic world and technical achievements. The main purpose is to exchange experiences, learn from each other and promote the development of film industry. They normally set up an international selection committee and organize an official exhibition of select films. The film-makers (including the director, screenwriter, actor, photographer, composer, editor and costume, art, special effects, etc.) not only participate in the festivals, but some of them are also conferred awards and prizes for their excellent movies. International Film Festivals are playing an increasingly important role in the development of movie industry, the most famous ones of which are as follows:

★ French Cannes (法国戛纳) Film Festival, started in 1939, is held annually (usually in May), Golden Palm (金棕榈奖) being the highest award.

★  German Berlin (德国柏林) International Film Festival, started in 1951, is held annually since 1978 (usually in February), Golden and Silver Bears (金熊奖、银熊奖) being its highest award.

★  Italian Venice (意大利威尼斯) International Film Festival, started in 1932, is held annually (usually in late August or early September), Golden and Silver Lions (金狮奖、银狮奖) being its highest award.

★ Spanish San Sebastian (西班牙圣塞巴斯蒂安) International Film Festival, started in 1953, is held annually (usually in September), Golden and Silver Shell (金贝壳奖、银贝壳奖) being its highest award.

★ Japanese Tokyo (日本东京) International Film Festival, started in 1985, is held annually since 1992 (usually from late October to early November), Golden Kylin (金麒麟奖) being its highest award.

★  Russian Moscow (俄罗斯莫斯科) International Film Festival, started in 1935, is held annually since 1995 (usually in July). Saint George (圣乔治奖) being its highest award.

★ Czechoslovakian Karlovy Vary (捷克斯洛伐克卡罗维瓦里) International Film Festival, started in 1946, is held annually since 1994 (usually in July), Crystal Ball (水晶球奖) being its highest award.

★ Egyptian Cairo (埃及开罗) International Film Festival, started in 1976, is held annually (usually in November), Pyramid (金字塔奖) being its highest award.

★ Chinese Shanghai (中国上海) International Film Festival, started in 1993, is held annually (usually in early June), Golden Goblet (金爵奖) being its highest award.

★  Canadian Montreal (加拿大蒙特利尔) World Film Festival, started in 1977, is held annually (usually from late August to early September), Grand Prix des Ameriques (美洲大奖) being its highest award.