The Show Will Go On: Sundance, Venice Film Festivals Will Require Proof Of Vaccination - Forbes

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Topline

The Sundance Film Festival is the latest film festival to announce it will require its attendees to show they are vaccinated against coronavirus, as the film industry grapples with how to host events safely due to rising Covid-19 cases.

Key Facts

Anyone physically attending the Sundance Film Festival events, which will be held in Utah from Jan. 20 to Jan. 30, will need to show proof they are vaccinated against Covid-19, have recovered from a Covid-19 infection or have tested negative for the virus to enter any screenings.

The 2022 Sundance Film Festival said it will announce what theater capacity could look like in the film screenings and what mask policies will be in place when the event gets closer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Venice Film Festival, which will be held from Sept. 1 to Sept. 11 in Italy, will also be requiring all attendees to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19, a recovery certificate or negative Covid-19 test.

Key Background

Last year, many film festivals including Sundance went virtual as the Covid-19 pandemic began. With the release of vaccinations, events like the Cannes Film Festival and Venice Film Festival planned to bring actors and audiences back to in-person events. However, with Covid-19 cases surging due to the delta variant in the U.S. and many countries around the world, the Cannes Film Festival instituted a 48-hour Covid-19 testing schedule for all participants, unless they received a vaccine within the European Union. The Festival would test up to 4,000 people daily, and it spent over $1 million in coronavirus tests, according to the Associated Press. The Venice Film Festival will require proof of vaccination or a negative test to ensure people “feel safe” attending the event. Industry film studios like Netflix have also decided to require vaccinations on its set to prevent any film setbacks.

What To Watch Out For

The Toronto Film Festival and New York Film Festival have not yet announced whether they will be requiring attendees to show proof of vaccination at the door. New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that people will need to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to attend performance venues, which will likely factor in the New York Film Festival’s protocols. The New York Film Festival will be held from Sept. 24 to Oct. 10. The Toronto Film Festival is scheduled to be held Sept. 9 to Sept. 18.