The first IFFs (International Film Festivals) were held in Europe in the first half of the 20th century and were considered a platform to promote national cinemas. Over time, IFFs transformed into large-scale and complex institutions with a pivotal role in international film exhibitions, distribution and production. Unfortunately, little or no attention was paid to showcasing work on sociocultural diversity within societies. Such neglect by IFFs led to the emergence of identity-based festivals. Identity politics are neither a decisive nor promotional factor in the organization and curation of IFFs, unlike the case of identity-based film festivals. However, the years 2017 and 2018 have been a tipping point for the film industry. It can no longer ignore the underrepresentation of women and sociocultural minorities. Some IFFs have demonstrated their potential role in furthering dialogue and representing a diverse society (e.g., identity-based sidebars and awards). This project studies the manner in which leading European IFFs incorporate sociocultural diversity in their programming and promotional practices. The aim of this project is twofold. First, it inquires how sociocultural diversity is represented at European IFFs. Second, it studies how IFFs engage with identity politics: how do film festival actors understand their role and which practices are used when engaging with identity politics?