The Festival started its activity as a National Festival in 1983. Over the years, the Festival has changed, until it has opened to International authors in 2013.

Ever since its foundation, it takes place in San Giovanni Valdarno, in the heart of Tuscany, between Florence, Siena and Arezzo.

The Festival consists in an Official Competition dedicated to feature and short movies in all genres, with also a special section for animated movies especially dedicated to very young audience, in addition to the official selection there are special events, special screenings for students and the section “Spazio Toscana” reserved to Tuscan productions or to directors who were born or live in Tuscany.

Winners of the competition are chosen by a highly qualified panel of judges who award prizes to the best short film and best feature film.

One of the most anticipated events is the Premio Marzocco awarded to the career of an author whose works have been appreciated all over the world. In the latest editions it's been awarded to Pupi Avati (director), Vittorio Storaro (cinematographer), Antonio Capuano (director) Marco Bellocchio (director), Carlo Verdone (director and actor), Abel Ferrara (director).

Awards & Prizes

[Official Awards]
- Premio Marzocco - Best Feature Film (trophy and €500 artistic contribution*).
- Premio Marzocco - Best Short Film (trophy and €300 artistic contribution*).
- Best Male Performance (trophy).
- Best Female Performance (trophy).
- Premio "Banca del Valdarno" - Best film that represents solidarity and cooperation values (trophy).

[Collateral Awards]
- Premio "Cineclub Fedic Sangiovannese" - Best film produce in Tuscany or made by a director who's born or lives in Tuscany (trophy).
- Premio "Diari di Cineclub" - Best film, awarded by a jury nominated by the Magazine.
- Premio "A.N.P.I." - Best film that represents the historical and ideological values that founded the Italian Costitution (trophy).
- Premio "Franco Basaglia" - Best film that represents the themes of mental healt (trophy).

*Cash prizes are given in the form of a contribution to the proposing artist.

Rules & Terms

1. DATE AND DURATION.
The 42nd edition of ValdarnoCinema Film Festival will take place in SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO (Arezzo - Italy), in OCTOBER 2024.

2. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY.
The Festival entry is FREE.
To be eligible for selection, films production must be completed starting from January 2023.
International films must be submitted with English or Italian subtitles.

3. FILMS DURATION.
SHORT films: between 1 and 40 minutes.
FEATURE films: over 40 minutes.

4. APPLICATION MATERIAL.
FilmFreeWay entry form properly filled (under penalty of exclusion from the competition).
Fill the credits related to Director, Producer, Screenwriter, DOP, Costume Designer, Set Designer, Editor, Composer and Sound Designer on FilmFreeway.
Screener link - VIMEO is recommended - available on FilmFreeway.

5. SELECTION AND JURY
The selection is carried out by and at the sole discretion of the Festival's Artistic Direction, who is also in charge of honorable mentions.

The Festival Direction and its collaborators will nominate a Jury of qualified professionals - directors, actors, journalists, film critics, producers, distributors, for awarding the OFFICIAL AWARDS.

6. SELECTED FILMS, SCREENINGS, AWARD CEREMONY
Selected films may be requested to send additional material to produce and publish a general catalog of the works and for the advertising material of the Festival.
International films must be send for Festival screening with italian subtitles.
All selected films will be screened during ValdarnoCinema Film Festival screening events in San Giovanni Valdarno.
The calendar and times of the screenings are decided by the Festival Artistic Direction once the selection and call are closed.
The Award Ceremony will take place in San Giovanni Valdarno on the final evening of the Festival.
The Festival garantees hospitality only to the winners of Best Feature and Best Short film (Premio Marzocco).

7. COLLATERAL EVENTS
The submitted films can be used by the organization for collateral events and screenings, always under the ValdarnoCinema label. The organization must communicate the date and place of the screening to the rights holders.

The acceptance of the terms & rules of the festival implies the acceptance of these rules.