Film Festivals Decoder: A Look At The World’s Top Film Fests

Sure, Sundance and Cannes have become household names, but did you know that there are nearly 4,000 film festivals held around the world every year? (There’s even a Moustache Film Festival in Portland, Maine.) The top-tier festivals have a glamorous reputation, but even at the ritziest ones, you’ll find up-and-coming independent filmmakers, film school students and everyday cinema enthusiasts rubbing elbows with A-list actors, producers and directors.

Last week marked the start of the 2012 Venice Film Festival and The Telluride Film Festival–and that's  just the beginning of what will likely be the most dynamic film fest season to date.