Delivered by Intellect to: Montserrat Jurado-Martin (33332106) IP: 204.137.163.250 On: Tue, 13 Jun 2023 06:07:30 CJCS 15 (1) pp. 143–150 Intellect Limited 2023 Catalan Journal of Communication & Cultural Studies Volume 15 Number 1 www.intellectbooks.com 143 VIEWPOINT MONTSERRAT JURADO-MARTIN Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche Film festivals in times of COVID-19: Online vs. live events – The case of Alicante region ABSTRACT COVID-19 caused many cultural events to change, also encouraged by the demand of an audience that would otherwise no longer have had access to culture. Among the diverse types of film festivals, it was the festival-driven form that appeared most vulnerable in pandemic times. Consequently, many of them faced important challenges to try to maintain their status and continuity. From personal inter- views to directors or coordinators of film festivals in the Alicante region (Spain) this viewpoint aims at knowing how they managed their events in 2020 to use this experience for the future. FILM FESTIVALS IN TIMES OF COVID-19 The pandemic caused by COVID-19 led to major transformations on the world scene. Culture did not escape this situation and is still adapting to it. In 2020, KEYWORDS cinematographic competition cinema cultural industries creative industries audiences aids sponsors © 2023 Intellect Ltd Viewpoint. English language. https://doi.org/10.1386/cjcs_00082_7 Received 25 May 2021; Accepted 26 January 2023