The first "Fest", subtitled "Brave New World", was opened on January 9, 1971, at the House of Syndicate, 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 significant film festivals and has become one of the main events in the country's cultural life, alongside which many young generations have grown up. What distinguished it in all these years is the fact that it was open to all cinemas of the world, and to all relevant authors, as well as films that will not be found in cinemas. Numerous great world actors and directors who were guests of the festival are inscribed in its history: 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, Schlondorff, Russell and many others. Since its inception, "Fest" has always had a main and several accompanying programs, which often surpassed the name "accompanying" with their quality. "Accompanying" also included numerous publications, exhibitions, symposiums held during the festival. In 2015, "Fest" becomes a real competitive festival with four competition selections: Main Competition Program - international selection, Serbian Film Program - national selection, Borderlines Program - subversive and controversial films and films from the region competing for the Nebojsa Djukelic Award. Another innovation is the introduction of the Belgrade Victor Award for exceptional contribution to film art, as well as the Belgrade Victor Award for previous creativity.