FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI

The most important International Documentary Film Festival in Italy and the oldest in Europe. In Florence, from October 31st to November 8th 2026.

NEWS

All the news from the Festival dei Popoli to follow updates on events and initiatives.

Country in Focus: Call for Italian projects for international co-production

2 September 2026

Every year, Doc at Work pays tribute to a European country by inviting a delegation of filmmakers keen to develop new collaborations with Italy. The initiative aims to strengthen artistic and production ties between Italy and the guest countries, creating concrete opportunities for professional meetings and exchanges.
Croatia and Slovenia are the two guest countries of honour for the 2026 edition.

Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple at the 67th Festival dei Popoli

24 July 2026

The American director Barbara Kopple will be a special guest at the 67th Festival dei Popoli. Fifty years on from her 1976 Oscar-winning film Harlan County, U.S.A., the filmmaker will be in Florence to present her landmark debut film on 3 November.

The 67th Festival dei Popoli pays tribute to Lech Kowalski

26 June 2026

To celebrate 50 years of punk, the director presents in Florence the Sex Pistols, Ramones and Johnny Thunders’s trilogy

Festival dei Popoli at Cannes Docs

11 May 2026

The Festival dei Popoli is delighted to renew its partnership with Cannes Docs, confirming its presence for the fourth consecutive year at the leading international platform dedicated to documentary cinema, hosted within the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival.

Residenza Ulisse 2026 – The call is open for 12 young filmmakers

29 April 2026

A five-month course, delivered both in person and online. The programme includes sessions with experts and lecturers, personalised mentoring and feedback on the development of film projects. Applications are open until 15 May.

Festival dei Popoli: Documentaries in Competition Eligible for the EFA

27 April 2026

The Festival dei Popoli has joined the ranks of festivals officially recognised by the European Film Academy: from the next edition onwards, European documentaries selected for the competition will be eligible for the European Film Awards (EFA), the most prestigious award in European cinema.

Popoli for Kids & Teens – Film submissions are now open

20 March 2026

“Popoli for Kids and Teens” – a project organised in collaboration with Fondazione CR Firenze – offers a rich and varied programme: documentary films and animated shorts aimed at viewers aged between 3 and 18, educational workshops tailored to different age groups, meetings with filmmakers and experts, and many other activities. The initiative will take place during the 67th Festival dei Popoli (Florence, 31 October – 8 November 2026).