The beauty of the film festival

Film is not just about going to the movies to see the latest thriller or watching the Academy Awards. In the film industry, there is one event critics line up for and people buy tickets in numbers: film festivals. While Sundance Film Festival ended in January, there are still others worth noting. Roger Ebert's film festival, Ebertfest, recently ended its five day run. Ebert has described the event, "As film exhibition in North America crowds itself ever more narrowly into predictable commercial fodder for an undemanding audience, we applaud those brave, free spirits who still hold faith with the unlimited potential of the cinema."

Each year, Ebert chooses films from throughout the years that, while not necessarily the average viewer's picks, deserve recognition and praise.

This year's films included lesser known movies such as "Shotgun Stories" to more recognizable films such as Ang Lee's "Hulk." When I first read that one of the film's Ebert hand-picked for his festival was "Hulk," I thought the critic was off. But reading his reasoning behind the film, I could see why he chose it.

"It is not so much about a green monster as about two wounded adult children of egomaniacs." With this in mind, I had to agree with Ebert's take on the film; but I still think it's a boring movie overall.

The Tribeca Film Festival started April 23 and will continue until May 4. The festival was created in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Their goal was to revitalize the lower area of Manhattan though an annual film celebration. According to the website, "The Festival's mission focuses on assisting filmmakers to reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promoting New York City as a major filmmaking center." Since it started, the Festival has raised more than $425 million in economic activity for the city.

This year's Tribeca Festival featured films about to be released in theaters, including the premiere of "Baby Mama," starring Tina Fey, as well as the much anticipated "Speed Racer."

The Festival also features film's from across the globe, such as the Middle East. The films compete in categories including the NY, NY Narrative Competition, International Documentary Competition, and International Narrative Feature Competition.

The winners of these categories are often independent films, but are powerful in their own right.

In May, the Cannes Film Festival happens. This is the most important film festival all year and featured films have gone on to garner Oscar nominations and wins. The selection of the films has two parts: the Competition and "Un Certain Regard."

The competition is comprised of the most recognized artists of cinema as well as revealing emerging talent. The movies in this category "aim to touch international audiences and illustrate the Festivals desire to privilege an 'auteur [author] cinema for the general public'".

During the closing ceremony, the judges award its prizes for the competition: the Palme d'Or; the Grand Prix; Best Actor; Best Actress; Best Director; Best Script; and the Jury Prize. Past winners of these awards have included the Oscar nominated "Persepolis," Oscar winners "Babel" and "The Pianist" as well more popular films such as Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City."

"Un Certain Regard" highlights single works that are "original in their message and aesthetics, which reflect the renewal of cinematic expression." This category also awards its own prize at the closing ceremony, but often features many lesser known, independent films.

Film festivals are their own events in themselves. In today's world of glamorous award shows and built up blockbusters, festivals offer a different experience. One where you don't have to be Spielberg to get recognition. A struggling filmmaker just trying to make it in the entertainment industry gets the same credit.

They allow independent films a chance to shine next to big, Hollywood blockbusters and even to win prestigious awards. They may not be the Oscars, but they still embody what film is about: individuals with big dreams.

It's difficult to make those dreams a reality. But with the festivals, they're one step closer to getting there.