Silenzio is a non-profit, non-competitive arts festival with a special focus on cinema.

While film sits at the heart of the festival, Silenzio embraces artistic expression in many forms. Moving image, visual arts, music, performance, games, and experimental practices coexist within the same space, creating an open environment where different disciplines can meet and influence each other.

Silenzio exists first and foremost as a gathering. A place where artists, filmmakers, and audiences come together not only to watch and present work, but to share ideas, question conventions, and explore new ways of thinking about art.

The festival values curiosity over competition. There are no awards and no hierarchy between works. Each piece is part of a wider conversation about creativity, perception, and the role of art in contemporary life.

We welcome films and artistic projects that are personal, unusual, reflective, or playful. Works that experiment with form, challenge expectations, or simply express a genuine creative impulse.

The festival aims to create a space where people feel free to experiment, collaborate, and engage critically with the world around them. At its core, Silenzio is about community, creative freedom, and the shared experience of art.

Rules & Terms

General Information

Silenzio is a non-profit and non-competitive arts festival with a special focus on cinema and moving image. The festival aims to create a welcoming space for artistic expression, community, experimentation, and critical thinking.

While cinema is central to the festival, Silenzio also embraces works that exist between disciplines, including experimental media, moving-image installations, interactive works, and other hybrid artistic forms.

The festival values dialogue, curiosity, and creative freedom rather than competition.

• Films of any genre and style are welcome.
• Short films, experimental works, animation, hybrid works, and student films may be submitted.
• There is no strict premiere requirement. Films may have been screened elsewhere.
• Works completed in the last 5 years are preferred.
• Films in languages other than Portuguese should include Portuguese subtitles.
• Submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.
• The submitter must hold the rights to the work or have permission from the rights holder.
• Multiple entries are allowed, but each film must be submitted separately.
• Once submitted, entry fees are non-refundable.

All submissions are reviewed by the Silenzio programming team.

Selected filmmakers will be notified through FilmFreeway.

Due to the number of submissions received, the festival may not be able to provide individual feedback on films that are not selected.

Selected films will be screened in a physical curated space with a capacity for 150+ people. Filmmakers must provide a screening filme in h.265 or h.265 format.

By submitting to the festival, the submitter confirms that:

• they hold all necessary rights for the film, including music and image rights
• the festival is granted permission to screen the film during the festival dates
• excerpts or still images from the film may be used for promotional purposes related to the festival

The festival does not claim ownership of any submitted work.

Silenzio is a non-competitive festival.

The focus is on artistic exchange, community, and shared experience rather than awards or rankings.

Silenzio aims to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment for artists, audiences, and collaborators.

Works that promote hate speech, discrimination, or violence toward individuals or communities may not be accepted.

The festival reserves the right to:

• curate screening programs according to its artistic vision
• decide the final screening format and schedule
• update these rules when necessary

For questions regarding submissions or the festival, please contact the Silenzio team through FilmFreeway.