Film festivals : history and theory of a European phenomenon that became a global network

This study traces the phenomenon of film festivals to its historic origin on the European mainland and identifies the key transition moments in the development of festivals since then. The growth, global spread and institutionalisation of film festivals raises relevant questions on how to explain and understand their 'succes'. In answering these questions, this book introduces the concept of the festival network: a broad and complex network in which film festivals are the nodal events that interrelate with a diverse set of actors, among which Hollywood, the avant-garde, municipal policies and (inter)national politics. Four case-studies (Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Rotterdam) explore different sets of linkages in the festival network and examines the various mechanisms of self-sustainment in more detail.
Winnaar van de 1e Boekman Dissertatieprijs Kunst- en cultuurbeleid 2009.