This is a list of groups, organizations, and festivals that recognize achievements in
cinema, usually by awarding various prizes. The awards sometimes also have popular unofficial names (such as the "Oscar" for Hollywood's
Academy Awards), which are mentioned if applicable. Many awards are simply identified by the name of the group presenting the award. [clarification needed]
Awards have been divided into four major categories: critics' awards, voted on (usually annually) by a group of
critics; festival awards, awards presented to the best film shown in a particular
film festival; industry awards, which are selected by professionals working in some branch of the movie industry; and audience awards, which are voted by the general public.
Venice Film Festival is the longest running film festival in Europe and among the most prestigious in the world with its prestigious prize
Golden Lion.
Cannes Film Festival is one of the most important and selective film festivals with its prestigious prize the
Palme d'Or.
As of 1998, The
Variety Guide to Film Festivals states that "the Triple Crown of international competitive festivals" are
Cannes,
Venice and
Berlin.[2]