During the Cannes Film Festival, leaders from prominent film festivals convened to discuss the future of the festival circuit and its role in the independent film landscape. The panel included Eugene Hernandez (Sundance), Tricia Tuttle (Berlin), Julie Huntsinger (Telluride), and Daniel Battsek (New York Film Festival), moderated by Anne Thompson of IndieWire. They collectively acknowledged the evolving importance of festivals as curators that connect quality films with engaged audiences. Battsek remarked on the heightened priority of festivals, noting that younger audiences are increasingly aware of cinema, contributing to rising attendance numbers. Tuttle shared that festival attendance has increased by 7.5% in the last two years, reflecting a growing interest among younger viewers. The panelists also observed that this trend is evident in repertory cinemas, indicating a broader shift in film consumption. However, they identified an 'infrastructure problem' within the industry as a barrier to fully meeting audience desires. The discussion highlighted the ongoing relevance and adaptability of film festivals in a changing cultural landscape.