Colonnella Film Festival – Cinema for Humanity

A festival dedicated to cinema for humanity

The Colonnella Film Festival – Cinema for Humanity is a young yet highly acclaimed film event that brings the village of Colonnella to life every January. Located in the province of Teramo, overlooking the Val Vibrata in northern Abruzzo, the event is organized by the AIFAS Academy in collaboration with the theater company Gli O'Scenici, with the patronage of the Municipality of Colonnella, the University of Teramo (Department of Communication Sciences), and FEDIC, the Italian Federation of Cineclubs.

Cinema that tells human stories

The heart of the festival is captured in its subtitle: Cinema for Humanity. The selection of films in competition favors auteur works—both feature films and shorts—that address themes of human rights, social inclusion, justice, and environmental sustainability with an authentic gaze. Each edition features dozens of works from Italy and abroad, evaluated by a jury of professionals and special juries, including one composed of local students.

Evenings of screenings and meetings

The program spans four evenings at the Sala Flaiano in Colonnella. Screenings of the finalist films are accompanied by meetings with directors, actors, and screenwriters, who engage in dialogue with the audience and university professors. The festival concludes with a Grand Gala and the announcement of the winners, where the main awards are presented: the Colonnella Cinema for Humanity Award, the FEDIC Best Actor Award, and the School Award, voted on by students.

A free event open to all

One of the event's strengths is its full accessibility: admission is free and requires no reservation for all screenings and meetings. The Colonnella Film Festival represents a precious opportunity for the Val Vibrata region, combining the promotion of auteur cinema with a strong civic and cultural commitment, and bringing prominent guests from the Italian film scene to Abruzzo.