Terni Film Festival – Peoples and Religions

A festival born from dialogue

The Terni Film Festival – Peoples and Religions is one of the longest-running international film festivals in Umbria. Founded in 2005 by Bishop Vincenzo Paglia as a response to the post-9/11 tensions, it was established with the ambition of promoting an "encounter of civilizations" as an alternative to the "clash of civilizations." It is held annually in November in Terni, the city of Saint Valentine.

Cinema, faiths, and rights

Organized by ISTESS (Institute of Theological and Historical-Social Studies), the festival annually addresses themes such as interreligious dialogue, spirituality in cinema, the integration of migrants, visual education, and the fight against gender-based violence. Among its distinctive features are screenings for inmates at Terni prison and morning sessions for schools, which also make the festival an experience of citizenship.

Competitions and international guests

The program includes international competitions for feature films, short films, and documentaries, conferences, and round tables. The honorary president is Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi, the historic patron is actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta; the director is Stefania Parisi. The main venue for screenings is the CityPlex Politeama Lucioli, with events spread across other locations in the city.

An event for Terni

For the Province of Terni and for all of Umbria, Peoples and Religions is much more than a film review: it is an opportunity to reflect, through the big screen, on peace, coexistence, and the future of humanity, with a debate that changes theme and geographical perspective each year.