In 2019, the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary as an annual, live celebration of the history of cinema. Then 2020 happened and everything, everywhere (particularly live events gathering crowds of people in small places,) was put on hold. When TCM last communicated their intentions for the possibilities of a 2021 Film Festival, they had hoped to bring the TCM Classic Film Festival back to Hollywood where it has been since its inception in 2010. At the same time they also reiterated their ongoing commitment to the health and safety of festival attendees, partners and staff. So, they've done the next best thing.
Given a commitment to producing a safe event for all attendees and the current status of the global pandemic, TCM will forgo hosting an in-person event and instead be presenting the 2021 TCM Classic Film Festival as a virtual experience. TCM is already hard at work building an engaging and unique experience for fans that will feature exciting discussions and panels, memorable TCM Classic Film Festival moments and movies, and retain the opportunity to gather as a community in order to share a mutual love of classic movies. Stay tuned for details in the coming months!
If you've participated in the TCMFF before then you'll know what a disappointment it was when last year's intended festival was cancelled due to COVID concerns. It was understandable given the circumstances, and it was just one event among thousands to suffer the same fate. There was a last minute shuffle to provide some programming on the network channel that included a lot of previous guest interviews and selected movies. It was a reasonable success given the limited amount of time TCM had to scrabble something together.
This year the Festival planners are prepared for anything, and will be ahead of the game when it comes to organizing a more expansive at home experience every fan will enjoy. Expect new, original interviews with the people in front of and behind the lens who have stories to tell about the special experiences one can only have in Hollywood
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