River Film Festival
Cinema on the floating screen at the Scalinata di Porta Portello
About River Film Festival
Cinema on the water at Porta Portello
The River Film Festival is the international film festival of Padova that has found its home at the Scalinata di Porta Portello, the historic 16th-century river port on the Piovego canal. Here, on a floating screen, films from all over the world are screened in a unique setting, between the water and the city's historic architecture.
Shorts, features, and new frontiers
The festival, organized by the Associazione Culturale Researching Movies, offers a rich program ranging from international short films to feature films, documentaries, animation, science fiction, and films from film schools, with sections dedicated to new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. The works are judged by a qualified jury and the audience, who award the festival prizes.
A free-admission festival
With the support of the Municipality of Padova, the University of Padova, the Veneto Region, and the Ministry of Culture, the River Film Festival is entirely free to enter and in twenty years has screened thousands of works from over one hundred countries, establishing itself as one of the most original film events in the Padova area.
River Film Festival — edition 2026
The 20th edition of the River Film Festival takes place from May 24 to June 20, 2026 at the Scalinata di Porta Portello in Padova, with screenings on the floating screen on the Piovego canal.
The program includes international short films and feature films, documentaries, animation, science fiction, films from film schools, virtual reality, and a section dedicated to artificial intelligence. The works are divided into the sections Sguardi Veneti, Sguardi Italiani, and Orizzonti Internazionali, with a focus dedicated to Iran. A qualified jury and the audience award the "Golden River" prizes in ten categories, Murano glass sculptures made by Venetian artists. Admission is free.
Programme River Film Festival 2026
May 24 to June 20, 2026 — Scalinata di Porta Portello
- International short films in competition, screened on the floating screen on the Piovego canal.
- Feature films, new for the 2026 edition.
- Sections Sguardi Veneti, Sguardi Italiani, and Orizzonti Internazionali.
- Sections dedicated to documentary, animation, science fiction, films from film schools, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
- Iran Focus.
- Awards ceremony with the Golden River (Murano glass) awarded by jury and audience in ten categories.
Full evening schedule of screenings at riverfilmfestival.org. Free admission.
Highlights River Film Festival 2026
The floating screen on the Piovego canal, the new section on artificial intelligence and feature films, the focus dedicated to Iran, and the Golden River awards in Murano glass.
Prices River Film Festival 2026
Practical information — River Film Festival
Where
Scalinata di Porta Portello, on the Piovego canal, Padova (PD). Screenings on a floating screen.
When
Between late May and June, over several evenings.
Admission
Free.
Awards
Winners receive the "Golden River", Murano glass sculptures made by Venetian artists, in various categories, plus audience awards. Program at riverfilmfestival.org.
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Where does it take place — River Film Festival
Scalinata di Porta Portello
Scalinata di Porta Portello, 35131 Padova