Film festivals have long been a platform for showcasing daring, artistic, and emotionally gripping films. Yet, despite their brilliance, some remarkable movies often slip through the cracks, overshadowed by more mainstream entries or big-name productions. Here’s a look at curated list of films that deserved more love from the festival circuit but continue to captivate those who discover them.

First Reformed (2017)

Director: Paul Schrader

Festival: Venice Film Festival

Paul Schrader, the mind behind Taxi Driver, brings an emotionally raw exploration of faith in First Reformed. While it earned critical praise, particularly for Ethan Hawke’s haunting performance, the film didn’t gain the broader festival attention it deserved.

Why It Deserved More: This film is a chilling dive into despair, environmentalism, and existential dread. Its eerie visual style and thought-provoking narrative left a lasting impression, making it a timely reflection on the state of the world. It’s hard to understand how such a powerful film didn’t spark more conversations on the festival scene.

A Ghost Story (2017)

Director: David Lowery

Festival: Sundance Film Festival

A Ghost Story is a quietly profound meditation on life, death, and the passage of time. It tells the story of a deceased man who, draped in a white sheet, silently observes the world he left behind. Despite its poetic nature and critical acclaim, it remained mostly within cinephile circles.

Why It Deserved More: This film transcends traditional storytelling with its unique and minimalistic approach. Its slow, reflective pacing allows the viewer to contemplate life’s biggest questions. It’s hard to shake the feeling of wonder and melancholy that lingers long after the credits roll. Why this didn’t create a larger wave at Sundance remains a mystery.

The Florida Project (2017)

Director: Sean Baker

Festival: Cannes Film Festival

Set in a pastel-colored world on the fringes of Disney World, The Florida Project tells the heartbreaking story of a young girl growing up in poverty. While it did receive some festival love, it deserved far more accolades for its raw and tender portrayal of childhood.

Why It Deserved More: This film beautifully contrasts the vibrant, innocent world of childhood with the stark realities of economic hardship. Sean Baker’s compassionate storytelling, combined with stellar performances, especially from Willem Dafoe, should have made it a bigger contender at Cannes.

Blindspotting (2018)

Director: Carlos López Estrada

Festival: Sundance Film Festival

Blending humor, poetry, and a biting critique of race and gentrification, Blindspotting delivers an unforgettable viewing experience. Co-written and co-starring Hamilton’s Daveed Diggs, the film garnered critical acclaim but didn’t get the broad festival buzz it deserved.

Why It Deserved More: Its bold and unflinching look at race relations in modern-day America is more relevant than ever. The film’s artistic ambition, combined with its raw emotional power, deserved to ignite more discussion in the festival circuit.

Columbus (2017)

Director: Kogonada

Festival: Sundance Film Festival

A love letter to modernist architecture, Columbus quietly unfolds a story about human connection, grief, and self-discovery. Its meditative pace and minimalist dialogue made it a hidden gem, yet it didn’t get the spotlight it truly deserved.

Why It Deserved More: Kogonada’s debut is visually stunning, with every shot meticulously composed. The film’s quiet beauty and intellectual depth create a sense of peace and reflection that lingers with you. It was the kind of film festivals should have celebrated more boldly.

The Souvenir (2019)

Director: Joanna Hogg

Festival: Sundance Film Festival

Telling the story of a young woman navigating a toxic relationship in the 1980s, The Souvenir is an intimate, semi-autobiographical portrayal of love and loss. Despite its rave reviews, it remained underappreciated at festivals.

Why It Deserved More: Joanna Hogg’s personal and emotionally rich storytelling, paired with standout performances, made this film a delicate yet impactful experience. It’s one of those rare films that feels deeply personal yet universal.

The Rider (2017)

Director: Chloé Zhao

Festival: Cannes Film Festival

Before Nomadland, Chloé Zhao gave us The Rider, a powerful look at life in America’s heartland. While it was praised at Cannes, it didn’t quite reach the widespread acclaim it warranted.

Why It Deserved More: The film’s stunning cinematography, combined with Zhao’s use of non-professional actors, created a film that felt intensely real and personal. The humanistic approach, blending fiction and reality, was a revelation that should have garnered more festival buzz.

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Festival: Venice Film Festival

A harrowing story of child soldiers in Africa, Beasts of No Nation featured a chilling performance by Idris Elba. Despite its critical acclaim and Netflix’s backing, it didn’t receive enough recognition at festivals.

Why It Deserved More: The film’s unflinching portrayal of war’s horrors and the raw performances, particularly from the young cast, made it an unforgettable cinematic experience. It deserved to be more widely celebrated in the festival circuit.

Wendy and Lucy (2008)

Director: Kelly Reichardt

Festival: Cannes Film Festival

Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist masterpiece tells the story of a woman and her dog, traversing the country in search of stability. Despite its quiet brilliance, Wendy and Lucy didn’t make a huge splash at Cannes.

Why It Deserved More: Michelle Williams delivers a heartbreakingly restrained performance that captures the loneliness and resilience of economic hardship. The film’s quiet, contemplative nature and profound emotional depth make it a standout, and deserving of more attention.

Conclusion

Film festivals are meant to spotlight the best of cinema, yet even some of the most profound films can be overshadowed. These films deserved more recognition for their emotional power, innovative storytelling, and artistic brilliance. If you haven’t seen them, it’s time to give these hidden gems the attention they truly deserve.