Vitorchiano Film Festival

Cinema meets the hanging village

The Vitorchiano Film Festival takes place every summer during the last weekend of July in Vitorchiano, a town in the province of Viterbo known as the "hanging village" for its spectacular position atop a peperino stone cliff. The natural stage for the event is the Giardino Belvedere di Sant'Agnese, located in the historic center: an open-air arena where, as evening falls, the big screen lights up before an audience that has responded with great enthusiasm, leading to sold-out nights since its very first edition.

A young festival with a clear vision

Founded in 2025 under the artistic direction of Federico Paolini — also the creator of the Aprilia Film Festival and the Crew Film Festival — the Vitorchiano Film Festival is organized by the cultural association Cuore Comico in collaboration with local entities such as CineTuscia Village and Tuscia Film Fest. The event is supported by the Lazio Region, the Province of Viterbo, and the Rieti-Viterbo Chamber of Commerce, confirming a project that aims to use cinema as a tool for cultural and tourism promotion in the Tuscia region.

The competition and the Brancaleone d'oro

At the heart of the festival is the short film competition, featuring national and international works selected for their artistic and technical quality from entries submitted via the FilmFreeway platform. A jury of industry professionals — including directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, actors, and producers — awards the official prizes, the Brancaleone d'oro:

• Best Short Film
• Best Director
• Best Cinematography
• Best Screenplay
• Best Production
• Best Actor and Best Actress

These are joined by special honors: the Vitorchiano Award dedicated to young talent, the Giorgio Capitani Award for directing, the Audience Award, and the Critics' Award.

Three nights of cinema under the stars

The format is that of a true celebration of cinema: the festival area opens in the early evening with refreshments and a warm welcome for the public, screenings begin around 9:00 PM, and each night concludes with an after-party featuring live music and entertainment. Admission is free, with limited seating available. Alongside the short films in competition, the program also includes documentaries and meetings with authors, performers, and crew members.

The first edition in 2025

The debut, held from July 25 to 27, 2025, exceeded all expectations: over 50 entries, 8 finalist short films, and three sold-out nights. The Brancaleone d'oro for Best Short Film went to "Hold on", while Stefano Fresi was awarded Best Actor for "L'ultimo ingrediente" and Milena Vukotic was named Best Actress for "Cocci". The short film "Quello che non ti ho detto" also won both the Critics' and Audience Awards.

Why visit

The Vitorchiano Film Festival is a rare opportunity to experience emerging cinema in an exceptional setting: one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Lazio, just a few kilometers from Viterbo, where the quality of the films in competition blends with the hospitality of the Tuscia region, its flavors, and its ancient stone architecture. An ideal event for cinephiles, families, and curious travelers.