What differentiates the Festival is also the multi-faceted experience it has offered over the years. Ranging from initiation into diving, boat tours along the coast, wine and cheese tasting as well as fantastic gastronomy where fish is one of the main attractions.

First will also have to enter your movie in one of eight genres categories REQUIRED:
• Documentary
• Documentary Short
• Dissemination / Promotion Movies
• Advertising Movies
• Timelapse
• Drone
• TV Series, Blogger / Vlogger and Youtubers Tourism Films
• Best Movies in the Region of Alentejo
• Best Movies in Artificial intelligence

Then you can submit your movie to any other theme category if you whant.

This Festival has at its heart the objective of promoting the Arrábida Region in the world of cinema and so attract directors and producers to one of the best and most interesting destinations with the highest number of daylight hours of sunshine in Europe for filming. It is with great pleasure that we welcome an ever-increasing number of requests to film in the region, ranging from major film production companies to high end advertising brands for advertising campaigns. Every year we challenge those who visit us during the festival, to produce at least one small video to promote the festival itself, the region or the country. This challenge has become a veritable promotion engine of Portugal and the Arrábida region.

We will also be holding some photographic exhibition from another countries.
The Jury is composed of 20 members and has have travelled “around the world” just by watching and classifying all the videos we received for this year’s competing entries. Every year the quality is higher and making decisions is much harder.
The Arrábida Film Commission who organize this festival has as its main aim the promotion and support to the various film productions filmed in the´ Region and we firmly believe that in the future the festival may come to be a a very important catalyst in the cine-tourism promotion of the region.

Carlos Sargedas
Festival Director
President of the Arrábida Film Commission

Awards & Prizes

The Arrábida Grand Prize will be awarded to the film that the jury consider to be the best amongst all nominated Festival films (shortlist), regardless of the specific Categories it competes.

A trophy will be awarded, to the best 3 films from every genre:
•Best Documentary
•Best Short Documentary
•Best Dissemination / Promotion Movies
•Best Advertising Movies
•Best Timelapse
•Best Drone
•Best TV Series, Blogger/Vlogger e Youtubers Tourism Films
•Best Films in the Region of Alentejo
•Best Tourist Cities
•Best Movies in Artificial intelligence

Jury will also distinguish with a trophy the films that stand out in the following technical and artistic categories:

•Best Cinematography/ Photography
•Best Soundtrack;
•Best Script / Screenplay/ Argument;
•Best Creativity / Innovation;
•Best Visual Effects
•Best Director/ Direction;
•Best Post - Production/ Editing
•Best Host Presenting or Voz Of

Will also be awarded with a trophy, the best film from each "Thematic" Categories:

◦Religious Tourism Films
◦Mountain Tourism Films
◦Beach & Sea Tourism Films
◦Travel Tourism Films
◦Destinations Tourism Films
◦Nature and Wildlife Tourism Films
◦Places in History Tourism Films
◦Human Life
◦Services Tourism Films

Rules & Terms

Article 1 | Organization
1.The Finisterra – Portugal Film Art & Tourism Festival, hereinafter identified by Festival, is an annual event promoted by Arrábida Film Commission Association;
2.The organization of the festival is the responsibility of:
a.Carlos Sargedas Director;
b.Arrábida Film Commission;

Article 2 | Objectives
The Festival objectives are to reward films and audiovisual works that effectively promote tourism, in any of its multiple dimensions:
•To promote the implementation of good practices in tourism, according to the assumptions of social responsibility and sustainable development;
•Encourage young people to engage in directing and producing travel movies.

Article 3 | Movies Genres
The Festival accepts, selects and shows audiovisual productions of eight genres:
•Advertising Movies, lasting up to 3 minutes;
•Dissemination / Promotion Movies, lasting up to 15 minutes;
•Documentaries ou report movies lasting up to 120 minutes;
•Short Documentaries, up to 30 minutes
•Timelapses
•Drone Films
◦TV Séries / Video blogger/vlogger e youtubers Tourism Films, up to 60 minutes
•Best Tourist Cities
•Best Movies in Artificial intelligence

Article 4 | Access Conditions
May participate in the Festival movies that meet the following requirements:
•Must be in any language but must contain English or Portuguese subtitles.

Article 5 | Movies application
1.Entries must be submitted online, until August 1, 2024, on the FilmFreeway
2.If the candidate has doubts about whether the film meets the criteria for entry, the applicant should make a provisional registration by sending the film and making the online application. If the opinion of the Executive Committee is favorable, the candidate must make the final registration
3.The participants will be notified when upon acceptance of their registration.

Article 6 | Authorial Rights
Each participant is responsible for the content of his work and for eventual authorial rights problems. The participant is the holder of all rights regarding the use of his work, according to the liability to third parties. The executive committee has the right to reject films whose content or technical quality, does not satisfy the requirements for the Festival.

Article 7 | Pre Selection
•A selection committee (appointed previously by the executive committee, and composed of experts in the fields of audiovisual arts and tourism), will make a preliminary evaluation of the films in the competition.
•The selection committee may propose that certain films be presented extra contest.

Article 8 | Jury
•The jury, appointed by the organizing committee is made up of some of these elements: film and television directors, tourism experts, film critics, journalists, film producers and higher education teachers of scientific areas.
•The jury will evaluate the materials selected by the selection committee with full independence, and whose decisions are final.
•The jury as a whole or each of its elements has no responsibility for prizes that can be assigned by the executive committee.
If it sees fit, the jury may award prizes "ex aequo".

2.The score in each of the five criteria mentioned above will vary between a minimum of 1 point and a maximum of 10 points: Poor (1 and 2), Enough (3 and 4), Good (5 and 6), Very Good (7 and 8) Excellent (9 and 10).
3.The scores will not be disclosed. Only the three highest scores films in each category will be released.

Article 9 | Appointments and Awards by Category
1.The five highest rated films in each category make up the Festival shortlist (nominations);
2.Depending on the number of films entered in each of the themes categories, the following prizes will be awarded:1.1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes, if the minimum of films entered is more than eight films;
2.1st and 2nd Prizes, if the minimum for films entered is between 5 and 7;
3.1st Prize, if the number of films entered is 3 or 4;
4.No prize will be awarded if the number of applicants is 1 or 2.

Article 10 | Grand Prize
The Arrábida Grand Prize will be awarded to the film that the jury considers to be the best among all the movies that integrate the Festival nominations (shortlist), regardless of the specific category that competes.

Article 11 | Artistic Prizes
1.The jury also distinguishes with a trophy, the movies that stand out in the following technical and artistic categories:

◦Best Cinematography/ Photography
•Best Soundtrack;
•Best Script / Screenplay/ Argument;
•Best Creativity / Innovation;
•Best Visual Effects
•Best Director/ Direction;
•Best Post - Production / Edition
•Best Host Presenting or Voz Of

2.Will also be awarded with a trophy, the best film from each "Thematic" Categories:

◦Religious Tourism Films
◦Mountain Tourism Films
◦Beach & Sea Tourism Films
◦Travel Tourism Films
◦Destinations Tourism Films
◦Nature and Wildlife Tourism Films
◦Places in History Tourism Films
◦Human Life
◦Services Tourism Films
◦Artificial intelligence

3.Also as an incentive, encourage participation and filmmaking to students from schools Cinema, Tourism, Technology and Audiovisuals will be awarded a Diploma with the top 3 of all films regardless of the specific category it competes.

Article 12 | Special Awards of the Organization
In addition to the jury’s awards, the Executive Committee and the Festival Directors may decide to award films, personalities and organizations for their contribution in promoting tourism.

Article 13 | Participation Certificates
The Executive Committee, awards a participation certificate to all the movies enrolled in the Festival.

Article 14 | Cession of broadcasting rights
By signing the entry form, the applicant authorizes the display of his film for promotional purposes and the public exhibition during the Festival:
•On the website of the Festival;
•In academic events, universities or colleges, for dissemination of the Festival and / or training of students;
•In any event the Festival is held, where participants or winners are cited.

Article 15 | Exclusive rights of the Executive Committee
•The Executive Committee decides on the date and Festival Schedule, including the films exhibition sequence.
•The Executive Committee also decides the exclusion of films, where it considers justified, and acts on any other issues not included in this regulation, but related to the organization of the Festival.

Article 16 | Additional Information
To clarify any questions or additional information, contact the Executive Committee by e-mail: finisterraarrabidafilmfestival@gmail.com or phone 00 351 938 857 701.

Article 17 | Acceptance of regulations
Participation in the Festival is dependent upon acceptance of this regulation.

50 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alberto Pereira

    A fantastic and Amazing Festiva, with great quality.

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Pérez Romero Carlos

    Maravilloso festival.
    Solo puedo agradecer el trato excepcional de todo el equipo organizador del Finisterra Portugal Film Art & Tourism Festival, por su dedicación y la excelente coordinación que hizo que todo estuviera cuidado al detalle.

    Las proyecciones se desarrollaron en un ambiente cercano y profesional, con una selección de películas de gran calidad, y las charlas y encuentros resultaron realmente inspiradores, creando un espacio para el intercambio de ideas y experiencias entre cineastas de distintos países.

    Además, las visitas organizadas por Sines y sus alrededores fueron un acierto: una manera perfecta de descubrir la esencia de Portugal, su gente amable, su gastronomía deliciosa y esas vistas infinitas al Atlántico que dejan huella.

    Un festival absolutamente recomendable, al que sin duda espero volver.

    A wonderful festival.
    I can only express my gratitude to the Finisterra Portugal Film Art & Tourism Festival team for their outstanding organization and the care they put into every detail, making us feel truly welcome in Sines, Portugal.

    The screenings were beautifully arranged, featuring a diverse and high-quality selection of films, and the talks and discussions were truly inspiring — a great opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with filmmakers from around the world.

    The organized visits around Sines and its surroundings were another highlight, allowing us to experience the essence of Portugal — its kind people, amazing food, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

    An absolutely recommendable festival that I would love to return to.
    We head back home with awards, great memories, and renewed motivation to keep creating.
    Regresamos a casa con premios, aprendizajes y motivación renovada para seguir produciendo.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Muito Obrigado pela sua mensdagem caro amigo.
    Uma vez mais Parabe´ns pelo vosso extraordinário trabalho.
    Forte abraço
    Carlos Sargedas

  • Paulo Fajardo

    The Finisterra Arrábida festival is an example of a successful festival, well organized and with national and international visibility. It's a great honor to have been selected.

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Vikash Thakur

    The festival was professionally organized with excellent communication, and I am beyond proud that my films were honored with awards. The screenings were held in a beautiful venue, and the jury’s appreciation for diverse stories was evident. The event created a great platform for filmmakers to showcase their work while also fostering international connections. I highly recommend Finisterra Arrabida Film Art & Tourism Festival to anyone looking to be part of a well-curated and inspiring cinematic event. Though, I was not physically present, but it was truly a memorable experience!

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Forest Film Studio

    Our nature film was appreciated in this year's edition of the festival. It was a great joy for us to be guests at Finisterra Arrabida, to experience the hospitality of the organizers, but also the incredibly charming surroundings of the town of Sesimbra. The festival integrates filmmakers, gives the opportunity to exchange experiences, business contacts. Thank you for the award, a lot of positive energy and greetings to all the film people we met.

    October 2024
    Helpful