Corto e Fieno – Rural Film Festival

A festival that tells the story of the countryside through cinema

Founded in 2010, Corto e Fieno – Rural Film Festival is an international film event entirely dedicated to the agricultural world, country life, and the relationship between man and nature. It takes place in Ameno, a small town in the province of Novara overlooking Lake Orta, and also involves nearby villages such as Miasino and other locations in the Cusio area. The event is organized by the Asilo Bianco APS Cultural Association, an organization that has been promoting contemporary art and culture in this corner of Piedmont for over twenty years.

Competitive sections

The heart of the festival lies in its international competitions, which select works from all over the world every year:

• Frutteto – international short film competition (maximum 30 minutes) focused on life and work in rural areas, featuring the Golden Rake (Rastrello d'oro) award.
• Germogli – Disegnare il cinema – international competition dedicated to animation and animated cinema, featuring the Golden Watering Can (Innaffiatoio d'oro) award.
• Mietitura – non-competitive section reserved for rural-themed feature films.
• Sempreverde – a tribute to the great classics of cinema dedicated to the land and the countryside.

Alongside the screenings, the program offers meetings with authors and directors, in-depth discussions such as the Rural Talks, photography exhibitions, and side events that bring the historic sites of Ameno and its surroundings to life.

Venues and atmosphere

Screenings and events are held in charming locations such as the Tornielli Museum in Ameno and Villa Nigra in Miasino, nestled in the hilly landscape of Lake Orta. The festival is one of the few in Italy to have always maintained free admission to all screenings, a choice that highlights its cultural vocation and service to the local area.

An identity tied to the Piedmontese territory

Corto e Fieno is much more than a film festival: it is an opportunity to rediscover the value of rural culture, both in Italy and worldwide, and to showcase a part of Piedmont rich in traditions, landscapes, and identity. Over the years, the festival has strengthened its international reach and forged collaborations with European projects dedicated to the agricultural world, establishing itself as a key event for those who love short films and stories of the land.