Perhaps one of the most influential and exciting exhibitions I aspire to visit every year is the Berlin Film Festival. Film fanatics will know that this one event that is high up in the ranks, with the likes of Cannes and Venice Film Festival - all of which are exhibited once a year hosting an array of celebrities, hi-tech exhibition stands and thousands of visitors.



My first visit to the coveted Berlinale was one felt with excitement, nervousness and enthusiasm to take away something truly memorable. The first impression upon entering the brightly lit hall, with plasma exhibition stands advertising the different sections of the event. Along with these plasma screen displays are trailers of films made around the world, including new and independent films.

Over 200, 000 tickets are sold each year hence the massive influx of people flying in from around the world to come and witness the impressive display of film-making presentations, memorabilia, cinema viewing, competition announcements and interviews. This is a great time to not only admire the displays and exhibition stands, but also network with other film-makers, actors and writers making new contacts and building upon your knowledge of film.

The festival considers itself a cinema experience that hosts itself in different sections. The first section 'Competition' is directed towards new internationally known and unknown films bringing together the big stars and the masters of the filming industry. The other sections include 'Panorama', 'International Forum of New Cinema', 'Generation', 'Perspektive Deutsches Kino' and 'Retrospective'.

As someone interested in filmmaking, I find making the effort to travel across Europe for a film festival a worthwhile venture. However, for those looking to save a few pennies will be glad to find that there are film exhibitions in our very own home country in the UK. The Edinburgh International Film Festival, like the Berlin Film Festival, welcomes celebrity guests, filmmakers, new film talents and provides short film introductions.

The Cambridge Film Festival has been running for nearly 27 years and introduces independent filmmakers and film talents into the starlight realm. With films, worldwide guests are given the chance to view various move trailers and stills, as well experience the movie making process. Much like the Raindance Film festival that promotes writes, producing and directing it provides the opportunity for new talents to show off their movie reels.

The exhibition experience is worth the time for any filmmaker. This is the time for all budding new talents to connect with others, not everyone will have their skills in the same area, which is why it is important to meet and communicate with these people. Usually the exhibitions act as a gallery for films and viewings, but it also provides a good insight into the available courses, equipments, lectures and conferences.

Exhibition tickets come expensive however, the price of your ticket is worth the experience as you are sure to be mesmerised by the exhibition display, the budget used for the exhibition stands and equipments.