Considered by the Ministry of Culture as an event of “ High Cultural Interest”, ir received the Medal of Cultural Merit awarded by the Portuguese Government and the Silver Medal of the Parliament. It holds, as well, the Gold Medals of Honour of the cities of Porto and Gaia.

The Ministry of Tourism has also considered Fantasporto as one of the 10 most prestigious and “investment worthy” brands in Portugal, being the only one referred in a study about Cultural events. It also received the award of the Best Cultural Event for Tourism in Portugal, in 2008

FANTASPORTO, STILL A LEADER

Together with events such as the Cannes film festival or the Berlin Film Festival, Fantasporto  is over the years referred by VARIETY,  the biggest industry entertainment publication, as one of The Most Important Film Festivals in  the World.

Also the most important Film Festival Site in the world has placed FANTASPORTO in the leading group. This site http://www.filmfestivals.com

Shows the link to the festival in its homepage along with the ones of Cannes and Berlin. The Image of Porto and Portugal are evidently with a high profile due to the effort, professionalism, proficiency and  quality of  programming.

WHAT IS COMING IN 2010

The 30th Oporto Film Festival has 3 main competitions,

The Fantasy Films Competition (Fantasy features and shorts)

The Directors Week (general)

The Orient Express (Asian Films).

And the Non-competitive sections,

Première and Panorama (previews)

Anima-te (animation)

Fantas  in Shorts (shorts)

Retrospectives

Panorama of  Portuguese Cinema.

For 2010, apart from the competitive sections,  a vast program is being prepared, namely the Retrospective of  French Cinema,  the Retrospective of Portuguese Director  and Producer Luís Galvão Teles, “Salve-se Quem Puder” for cult films, and  he Special program “Robotics and Cinema” with the participation of scientists and the Oporto University,

Having as main official sponsors the Ministry of Culture (ICA) and the Oporto Town Hall,  the festival also will present  in Nacional, European and / or International previews the latest features in the sector “ Première & Panorama”.

Notice that all competition films are usually introduced on the stage by their directors and other members of the film crew.

Special homages  to world known top members of the film industry are also part of the program.

GUESTS, PARTICIPANTS, THE MEDIA AND THE AUDIENCE

 As in previous years, the Organizing Committee, will invite a group of national and international film personalities in order to elicit a a discussion about the mains problems and tendencies of the world film industry.  International juries and the directors and producers of films in competition are invited, as well as representatives of other film festivals and honour guests.

OTHER EVENTS

Lectures, debates, press conferences, books and dvd’s presentations are  a fundamental part of the program.  To be prepared are an Art Exhibition, a n award for Portuguese short films, a Film Book Fair and an Art Auction, among other events.

DATES

The 30th Fantasporto will be held  between the 22nd February and the 7th March, with the competitions beginning on the 26th February and ending on the 6th March.