Since 1995, the Film Festival della Lessinia has served as a “cinematic stage” for directors who recount the life, history, and traditions of the mountains through their films.
This has been the Festival’s chosen theme since its founding: a program devoted entirely to mountain stories—excluding those focused solely on sports and mountaineering—with a preference for themes that explore the relationship between humans and the environment, reflecting on the legacy of the past, the challenges of the present, and the possibilities of the future.
Deeply rooted in its territory (Lessinia) and its history (beginning in Bosco Chiesanuova in 1995), the Festival has cultivated an increasingly international outlook. These two guiding principles have helped shape its identity and earn international recognition, centered around three core missions: environmental awareness, outreach to new generations, and social engagement.
Each year, the Festival presents around 90 films across its various sections: the International Competition (for the Lessinia d’Oro and Lessinia d’Argento awards), FFDLgreen (focused on environmental issues), Italian Mountains (dedicated to Italy’s mountain regions), FFDL+ (films for children and young adults), as well as Retrospectives and Special Events. The call for entries opens annually on January 1 and closes on April 30. Films of any genre and length may be submitted for consideration, both for competition and non-competition screenings. A selection committee reviews the submissions, and some films may be invited directly by the Festival. The total prize fund is €14,000.
The Festival takes place annually during the last ten days of August in Bosco Chiesanuova (Verona), in the Lessini Mountains. Screenings are held at the Teatro Vittoria, in the Festival Square, and at other venues throughout the town, with the support of the Bosco Chiesanuova municipal administration, the event’s main partner. The Festival Square hosts the Festival Trattoria and Osteria, the Mountain Bookshop, the Higher Words program space, and a stage for concerts and special events.
The film program is enriched by a wide array of cultural events that expand upon the themes explored in the films. These include the “Higher Words” program (book presentations, author talks, and roundtables), children's workshops, culinary sessions, guided hikes and experiential walks, exhibitions, art residencies, cultural camps, concerts, performances, and food and wine events.
A member of the organizing team since the Festival’s inception, director and writer Alessandro Anderloni has served as the artistic director since 1997.
In celebration of its 30th anniversary in 2024, the Festival launched the FFDLpro industry section, in collaboration with the five film commissions of the Triveneto region, as well as the HADAMO project: the Hub and Multimedia Digital Archive of the Mountain.