The first "Fest", subtitled "Brave New World", opened on January 9, 1971, at the House of Trade Unions, with a screening of Robert Altman's film "MASH". Conceived as an annual review of the best films of the season, the International Film Festival "Fest" has grown into one of the most important film events in the country's cultural life, with which many young generations have grown up. What characterized it in all these years is the fact that it was open to cinemas from all over the world, and to all relevant authors, but also to films that will not be found on the cinema repertoire. The history of the festival includes numerous great world actors and directors who have been guests of the festival: Marcello Mastroianni, Harvey Keitel, Liv Ullmann, Bernardo Bertolucci, Sophia Loren, Robert De Niro, Antonioni, Johnny Depp, Milos Forman, Catherine Deneuve, Wim Wenders, Abbas Kiarostami, Hanna Schygulla, Rafelson, Schlöndorff, Russell, and many others. Since its inception, "Fest" has always had a main program and several accompanying programs, which often exceeded the name "accompanying" with their quality. There were also numerous publications, exhibitions, and symposiums held during the festival. In 2015, "Fest" became a real competitive festival with four competition selections: Main Competition Program - International Selection, Serbian Film Program - National Selection, Horizons Program - Subversive and Controversial Films, and Films from the Region Competing for the Nebojša Đukelić Award. Another novelty is the introduction of the Belgrade Victor Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film Art, as well as the Belgrade Victor Award for Previous Creativity.