Terni Film Festival – Popoli e Religioni

A festival born from dialogue

The Terni Film Festival – Popoli e Religioni is one of the longest-running international film festivals in Umbria. Founded in 2005 by Bishop Vincenzo Paglia as a response to the tensions following 9/11, it was created 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 the 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 the Terni prison and matinées 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 the Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi, the historic patroness is the actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta; the direction is entrusted to Stefania Parisi. The main venue for screenings is the CityPlex Politeama Lucioli, with events held in other locations in the city.

An event for Terni

For the Province of Terni and for all of Umbria, Popoli e Religioni 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.