FARO FILM FESTIVAL.

Europe's first film festival entirely dedicated to the Faro Convention on Cultural Heritage

PARTNERS:
This festival has been made possible by the support of the Strasbourg COE and has the partnership with Hotel Du Nord for France and PAX - Patios de la Axerquía for Spain.
All films presented must have a clear relationship with the aims and themes of the Faro Convention. In particular, they must refer to the concepts of “Heritage” and “Heritage Community “, defined by the Faro Convention as follows:

1) Cultural heritage is a group of resources inherited from the past which people identify independently of ownership, as a reflection and expression of their constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge and traditions. It includes all aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time.

2) Heritage Community consists of people who value specific aspects of cultural heritage which they wish, within the framework of public action, to sustain and transmit to future generations.

All authors are invited to consult the Faro Convention, available in the official website of the Council of Europe, to better understand its purposes and themes and to verify that the films or are relevant to them:

https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=199)

Awards & Prizes

There are no cash prizes: the winners and selected films in each category will receive a digital laurel with their name and the category of their prize.
The winning and selected short films will be screened in Venice in emblematic and significant spaces as places of social gathering. The winning and selected short films will be screened in at least the other two countries that will be selected during the project.

Rules & Terms

The Faro Film Festival is an initiative of the Council of Europe (COE).
The COE does not coincide with the European Union, but includes many more countries.
Russia was excluded following the invasion of Ukraine.

ONLY films from countries that are part of the COE are allowed to compete:

Authors can send their works exclusively through a dedicated software platform FILMFREEWAY. Videos should be in MP4 format, at least 720p but preferably 1080p, and their maximum length is 30 minutes.
All videos must have English subtitles, even those spoken in English.
Authors must be 18 years or older to enter the festival’s competition (or be sent by a teacher for a student-made film)

By submitting a film to the Faro Film Festival, the filmmaker or institution assumes the “applicant” role. This means that he/she confirms to owning the full rights of the film, has the permission to submit it and is responsible for the content provided.
The applicant grants Faro Film Festival unlimited permission to :

- publish the film on its website and social platforms;
- screen the film for free in non-profit and /or non-theatrical situations;
- use images and screenshots free of charge in the Faro Film Festival’s promotional communication activities.

The Faro Film Festival must be authorised to download these films, upon request, in their best quality.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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  • Marie Kishchuk

    I’m so thankful for the amazing opportunity to screen my short film at Faro Film Festival. It was a brilliant event in the heart of Venice, which I was lucky to attend in person. The festival had a great selection of films, all very different, showcasing the beauty of diverse cultures. It was really interesting and eye opening. I think the concept of the festival is very important and the organisers were highly professional. Wishing the festival and the participants all the best, cheers

    January 2026
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  • Danilo Paolo Pavone

    Participation in the Faro Film Festival with the documentary Water Communities was a significant experience, highlighting the festival’s clear cultural vision and its strong adherence to the values of knowledge sharing, heritage awareness, and community involvement inspired by the Faro Convention. The festival stands out for the efficiency and concrete support of its organization, offering a transparent and accessible participation process that allows filmmakers and researchers to focus on content rather than procedural aspects. This clarity of intent represents a relevant added value compared to many other festivals dedicated to cultural and scientific dissemination.
    Water Communities is a documentary produced by the Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR ISPC), developed through a joint effort involving the branches of Catania, Lecce, and Potenza. The project reflects a choral approach, in which different voices converge into a shared narrative centered on the commitment of individuals and institutions to the protection and transmission of cultural heritage. I directed the documentary and personally took care of both cinematography and sound, with the aim of conveying a coherent narrative that is attentive to the contexts and communities involved.
    Due to professional commitments abroad, I was unable to attend the festival presentation in person. The project was represented on site by my colleague Maurizio Lazzari, senior researcher and head of the Third Mission working group of the CNR Italian Faro Network, who is scientifically engaged in the territory and who proposed the documentary’s subject. He expressed great appreciation for the event, both for the high quality and coherence of the selected films and for the final program.
    In conclusion, I hope that the festival and the selection of films may be returned to the communities, offering the opportunity to screen the works within local contexts and to reactivate, through cinema, moments of discussion and participation in the territories involved. At the same time, I consider the initiative to disseminate the Faro Convention to be a successful choice, one that gives the festival a deep cultural and civic value and that I hope can be maintained and strengthened over time.

    December 2025
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  • EMRE BAYIR

    Hello,
    I was very happy to be awarded at the Faro Film Festival. Even though I couldn’t attend, the team maintained warm, sincere, and excellent communication with me at every stage. The overall organization of the event was truly impressive. The whole process was wonderful and it was a great experience for me.
    I sincerely thank everyone who contributed.
    Best regards,

    Mustafa Emre Bayır

    December 2025
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  • Artavazd Ghukasyan

    Here is the English translation:

    **I would like to express my deep gratitude to the festival organizers for giving me and the members of my film the opportunity to participate. We truly hope that this film festival will continue to grow and develop, giving filmmakers like me the chance to have our films screened and to take part in the event.**

    December 2025
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  • Andrea Nevi

    Faro Film Festival was a wonderful experience. My documentary was among the finalists, and the screening venue was truly beautiful. The staff were incredibly welcoming and kind, and the audience was attentive and highly knowledgeable. Overall, a festival I wholeheartedly recommend.

    December 2025
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