It costs a lot (definitely financially and sometimes emotionally) to attend a film festival. It follows, then, that if you’re in a fortunate position to attend one or some, there’s a web of interlocking factors to consider before going. What press tends to go? Which industry people? Can the public attend screenings? Does the festival help with travel costs? Do you need a visa to get there? Is there a cash prize? Any prize? Does that matter? What’s the level of prestige? Are you gross for asking that? What are the festival’s politics? Does it have good parties? Do you want to physically get on a plane, train or in an automobile and go there? I have spent years detangling these questions and now have a new one to add into the mix: Does the festival have childcare?
As discussed in my interview with the founders of Cinecamp, this question is becoming more mainstream as parents in an already unstable industry are asking how they can continue to caregive and create. I believe that soon this won’t just be a “nice to have” but an expectation in terms of accessibility. But we’ve a ways to go.
In doing research for the Cinecamp interview, I didn’t find one place that called out and celebrated all the festivals that were already providing this resource. So that’s what we’re doing here! Consider this an evolving database of film festivals around the world that are offering subsidized or easily accessible childcare to those attending.
Annecy International Animation Film Market and Festival: For the second year, Le Ballon Rouge will return to the French animation festival 🎨
Berlinale: The Red Ballon Alliance began in Berlin! The German fest offers a “Berlinale Kids Package” that “supports accredited professionals attending the EFM and Berlinale with childcare and caregiver access options.” 🐻
Cannes: Le Ballon Rouge was first offered at Cannes in 2019 and has become something of an industry standard. Tiffany Pritchard wrote about using the babysitting services on the Croisette for Filmmaker Magazine in 2022, noting: “Some variation of ‘I couldn’t have attended Cannes without this service’ is the most common takeaway.” 🌴
Galway Film Fleadh: Thank you to my Irish princess Ellen for sending me this update. From the festival’s IG: “After a successful 2025 pilot, our Childcare Service is returning for Galway Film Fair 2026.” ☘️
Los Angeles Festival of Movies (LAFM): Cinecamp offers subsidized childcare during festival screening times with the aim of expanding to other festivals in the US. Read the full interview here! 🌆
Punto de Vista International Documentary Film Festival: The Spanish documentary festival partners with El Globo Rojo to offer childcare 👾
Regent Park Film Festival (RPFF): Since it began in 2003, Regent Park Film Festival “has offered complimentary childcare to all who attend our Annual Festival […] to remove barriers to participate in cultural activities in Toronto.” All of the festival’s programming is also free! Thank you Claudia for adding this to the list 🌳
San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF): This Spanish festival has a daycare in a museum (!!!) in collab with El Globo Rojo 🐚
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): The Toronto festival has teamed with Kids & Company “Canada’s leading provider of early childhood education and care […] to offer discounted child care to industry delegates attending or working at TIFF.” UPDATED [08.24.26]
Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci): One of the longest running festivals in Spain also bills itself as a “family-friendly event.” In partnership with El Globo Rojo, they offer “a play area for children between six months and twelve years old that can be enjoyed by the festival team, accredited people and the general public.” 💋
Festivals that have offered childcare in the past but aren’t anymore or it’s unclear if they will again are: Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, Venice. Will they return? Watch this space.
What am I missing? Have you used any of these services? Any notes? Comment away!
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.