Film festivals are highly important events and organizations that unite films, artists, cinema workers and the viewing audience. Attending a screening at a festival is different than going to the local cinema throughout our daily lives. Film festivals not only unite moviegoers, it also opens new doors for everyone interested in the art of film. Similarly, it facilitates the opportunity for the audience to meet directors, actors, screenwriters and everyone else participating in the production of films as well as the screening of films that previously had not been screened. It provides a platform of discussion for the viewers of common content. It allows prominent films in cinema history to be experienced within the atmosphere of a movie theatre. The contributions of film festivals to individuals, society, and the hosting city are not limited to these influences. This study attempts to determine the audience profile of the Eskisehir International Film Festival, which has been a recurring event for 18 years. In this regard, a survey was conducted between 6-14 May 2016 using random sampling. The 250 valid questionnaires obtained were analysed with the SPSS statistical software and the results were combined with the researchers' festival organisation experiences for interpretation. Additionally, a portrayal of the film festivals in Turkey in the year 2016 was established along with a meta-analysis of the publications regarding the influence of film festivals on the film industry and on society.