Festival dei Popoli – Florence, Italy 2025

Background & History

Founded in 1959 by scholars in anthropology, sociology, ethnology, and media studies, the Festival dei Popoli is Europe’s oldest and Italy’s premier international documentary film festival. Organized by the Festival dei Popoli – Italian Institute for Social Documentary Film ETS, a non-profit, it promotes social documentary cinema through screenings, workshops, and archival preservation.

The festival has hosted retrospectives for cinematic giants like Jean Renoir, Jean-Luc Godard, and Ken Loach, and since 2008, its “Filmmaker in Focus” section highlights directors like Claire Simon and Kazuhiro Soda. With over 25,000 titles in its archive, the festival collaborates with Mediateca Toscana for digitization and offers training for aspiring filmmakers. The 66th edition in 2025 continues its legacy of showcasing creative documentaries, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and supporting emerging talent.

Festival Highlights

The 66th Festival dei Popoli, running November 3–10, 2025, features a diverse program across multiple Florence venues, emphasizing innovative storytelling and social themes. Key sections include:

• International Competition: Documentaries from any country, completed after November 1, 2024, competing for awards:
  • Best Feature-Length Documentary (>60 min): €7,000 (~$7,630 USD, split between director/production).
  • Discoveries Prize (≤60 min): €3,500 (~$3,815 USD).
  • Gian Paolo Paoli Plaque for Best Anthropological Film.
  • Films must be Italian premieres; DCP format preferred.
• Italian Competition: Italian documentaries (≥50 min, completed after November 1, 2024), with awards:
  • Best Italian Documentary: €3,000 (~$3,270 USD).
  • CG Entertainment “POPOLI doc” Award: On-demand distribution on cgtv.it.
  • Theatrical Awards: Screenings at Cinema La Compagnia (Florence) and Il Cinemino (Milan).
  • AMC Best Editing Award.
• Habitat Section: Films of any length/nationality focusing on contemporary living, geopolitics, environmental crises, and human rights. CG Entertainment distribution award for the best film.
• Out of Competition: Non-competitive screenings of notable documentaries.
• Special Events: Tributes to directors Marie Losier and Sarah Maldoror, featuring restored works and masterclasses.
• Popoli for Kids and Teens: Documentary and animated shorts for young audiences, with workshops and a youth jury.
• Doc at Work – Future Campus: Showcases student films from international film schools, fostering new talent.
• Doc at Work – Proxima: Presents Italian documentaries in post-production for festival programmers and professionals.
• Let the Music Play!: Music-themed documentaries.
• Diamonds Are Forever: Highlights iconic documentaries from the festival’s 60-year archive.
• Itineranze DOC: Supports six developing documentary projects with training.
• Ulisse Residency: A training course for new directors, held with Echivisivi in Prato and Pistoia.

Date & Duration

Dates: November 3–10, 2025
Duration: 8 days, with screenings typically from 10:00 AM–11:00 PM (GMT+01:00). Evening sessions start around 8:30 PM. Specific schedules will be posted on festivaldeipopoli.org closer to the event.

Venue / Location

Main Address: Cinema La Compagnia, Via Camillo Cavour 50/r, 50129 Florence, Italy
Additional Venues:

• Spazio Alfieri: Via dell’Ulivo 6, Florence
• Cinema Stensen: Viale Don Minzoni 25/c, Florence
• Istituto Francese di Firenze: Piazza Ognissanti 2, Florence
• MAD (Murate Art District): Piazza delle Murate, Florence
• Teatro Cantiere Florida: Via Pisana 111/r, Florence
• 25hours Hotel: Piazza San Paolino 1, Florence
• Videolibrary & Mediateca Regionale Toscana: Via San Gallo 25, Florence
  City and Region: Florence, Tuscany, Italy
  Details: Cinema La Compagnia and Spazio Alfieri are primary screening venues, with La Compagnia hosting the most competitive sections. Smaller venues like MAD and Istituto Francese offer intimate settings for special events. The 25hours Hotel and Mediateca host workshops and industry events. All venues are in Florence’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Contact Information

Operational Office:

• Address: Istituto Stensen, Via Don Minzoni 25/c, 50129 Florence, Italy
• Phone: +39 344 4591203
• Email:
  • General Inquiries: info@festivaldeipopoli.org
  • Film Submissions: film@festivaldeipopoli.org
  • Collaborations: m.santoro@festivaldeipopoli.org
  • Communication: social@festivaldeipopoli.org
    Registered Office: Via della Robbia 66, 50132 Florence, Italy
    Website: festivaldeipopoli.org
    Social Media: @festivaldeipopoli (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Ticket Information

• Pricing: Based on the 2024 (65th edition) pricing, as 2025 prices are unannounced:
  • Single Tickets:
    • Full: €8 (~$8.72 USD, evening screenings from 8:30 PM).
    • Reduced: €6 (~$6.54 USD, for Mediateca Regionale Toscana, Socio Coop, Arci, Institut Français, Carta Giovani/Argento, university students, Amici di Palazzo Strozzi).
    • Afternoon Only (before 8:30 PM): Full €8, Reduced €6.
  • Full Subscription:
    • Full: €60 (~$65.40 USD).
    • Reduced: €40 (~$43.60 USD, same eligibility as above).
    • Valid for all screenings at La Compagnia and Astra cinemas. Available only at La Compagnia box office (cash only until November 2).
  • Day Pass:
    • Full: €12 (~$13.08 USD).
    • Reduced: €10 (~$10.90 USD).
    • Valid for one day at La Compagnia and Astra.
  • PARC Screenings: Prices vary; purchased at the PARC hall box office.
• Sales Channels:
  • On-Site: La Compagnia (Via Camillo Cavour 50/r, open 2:00–9:00 PM on festival days) and Astra cinemas.
  • Online: festivaldeipopoli.org (expected for 2025, check closer to the date).
  • Note: Cash-only pre-sales at La Compagnia until November 2. Tickets must be shown before entry; late entry is prohibited.
• Discounts: Reduced rates for Palazzo Strozzi exhibition ticket holders (Helen Frankenthaler exhibition, €12). Present festival tickets for reciprocal discounts at Palazzo Strozzi.
• Notes:
  • 2025 prices may differ; check festivaldeipopoli.org in spring 2025.
  • No refunds for cancellations. Seats are limited; arrive 15–30 minutes early.
  • Films are in the original language with Italian/English subtitles unless noted.

Cultural Experience

The Festival dei Popoli transforms Florence into a global hub for documentary cinema, showcasing stories of human experience, anthropology, and social issues. The 2025 edition honors directors like Marie Losier and Sarah Maldoror, with restored films and masterclasses exploring their feminist and Pan-African legacies. Screenings at historic venues like Cinema La Compagnia, paired with Florence’s Renaissance backdrop, create an immersive experience.

The “Popoli for Kids and Teens” section engages young audiences with workshops, while “Doc at Work” connects filmmakers with industry professionals. Expect discussions on migration, urban change, and environmental crises, reflecting the festival’s commitment to socially relevant cinema.

Food & Drinks

• Policy: Food and drinks are prohibited inside screening venues. Small water bottles (~0.5L) may be allowed; check with staff.
• On-Site: Bars at La Compagnia and Spazio Alfieri offer coffee, drinks (~$2–$5 USD), and snacks during breaks.
• Nearby Dining: Florence’s historic center offers family-friendly options:
  • Trattoria Mario (Via Rosina 2r): Tuscan dishes like bistecca alla fiorentina (~$10–$20 USD). Limited vegan options (e.g., ribollita).
  • La Ménagère (Via de’ Ginori 8): Modern café with pastries, salads (~$8–$15 USD), and some gluten-free/vegan choices.
  • Pre-screening dining is recommended due to late evening shows.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: The “Popoli for Kids and Teens” section offers age-appropriate documentaries and workshops (ages 6–18). General screenings suit teens 12+ due to mature themes. No family ticket packages, but day passes (~$10–$13 USD) are budget-friendly.
• Accessibility:
  • Cinema La Compagnia: Wheelchair-accessible with ramps and restrooms. Contact info@festivaldeipopoli.org for reserved seats.
  • Other Venues: Spazio Alfieri and Cinema Stensen are accessible; MAD and Teatro Cantiere Florida have limited access (stairs). Verify via festivaldeipopoli.org.
  • Historic Center: Cobblestone streets may challenge mobility; use taxis or trams (e.g., T1 line, ~$1.70 USD).

Getting There

• By Air: Florence Peretola Airport (FLR), 8 km from the city center. Taxi (~$20–$30 USD, 15 minutes) or tram T2 to Santa Maria Novella (~$1.70 USD, 20 minutes).
• By Train: Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, 1 km from La Compagnia. Walk (10 minutes) or take bus C1 (~$1.70 USD, 5 minutes) to Via Cavour. Check trenitalia.com.
• By Car: Limited parking in the historic center. Use Parcheggio Sant’Ambrogio (~$2–$4 USD/hour, 10-minute walk to La Compagnia). Pedestrian zones apply during festivals.
• Public Transport: Bus C1 or tram T1 to Via Cavour (~$1.70 USD). Free transport passes with some hotel bookings.
• Traffic Restrictions: Check comune.firenze.it for road closures in the historic center.

Additional Services

• Film Submissions: Open for 2025; €20 (~$21.80 USD) fee, €30 (~$32.70 USD) for late submissions (July 8–21). Register via festivaldeipopoli.org.
• Photography: Prohibited during screenings; allowed outside venues.
• Merchandise: Festival programs and DVDs (~$5–$20 USD) at La Compagnia’s bookstore.
• Guided Tours: Florence city tours via destinationflorence.com (~$15–$30 USD) complement festival visits.
• Dress Code: Casual attire acceptable; bring layers for cool November evenings.
• Lost & Found: Contact info@festivaldeipopoli.org or La Compagnia staff.