OVAR, PORTUGAL, October 30, 2026 — The ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival has announced the winners of its 19th edition, awarding the Grand Prix to “The Big Trend” by Ofelia de Souza, from Visit Porto and North of Portugal, in collaboration with KOBU Agency. The film also won Best Promotional Film and first prize in Tourism Products, securing three distinctions at this year’s festival.
The results, announced during the closing ceremony in Ovar, were selected from almost 250 entries representing 45 countries. Across its national and international competitions, ART&TUR presented a total of 71 awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in tourism communication and audiovisual storytelling.
Switzerland Tourism was one of the most prominent brands at this year’s festival, with three productions recognized across different areas of tourism promotion. Its awards included first prize in Country Promotion for “Beautiful Autumn,” alongside recognition for “Swiss Sounds by Thylacine” and “Bees and Friends: Hotels for Truly Every Need.”
Beyond the Grand Prix, Portuguese tourism organizations and production companies also achieved strong results. Turismo de Portugal was also among the winners, with “Inspira Portugal” receiving recognition in Arts and Creativity and “Portugal Means Business” earning the Director’s Choice award. Turismo do Centro de Portugal won first prize in Region Promotion for “Alive in Green,” produced by Lobby Films and Advertising, which also earned recognition for its work with Bensaude Hotels.
Other notable winners included the Slovenian Tourist Board, recognized for its promotional series “Welcome to Feel Good Towns of Slovenia,” and the Catalan Tourist Board, awarded for “Catalonia, the Best Gastronomy in the World.” Turismo Rías Baixas, part of the Provincial Council of Pontevedra, also received recognition for its campaign “Rías Baixas: Your Goal, Your Destination”.
The international line-up also featured Go Türkiye and Colombia’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, both recognized for their country promotion campaigns. In Central Europe, the City of Elbląg in Poland received first prize in City Promotion, while Film Dunedin in New Zealand earned recognition for its creative approach to destination marketing.
Tourism experiences and hospitality brands were also represented. Portugal’s Bensaude Hotels won first prize in Tourism Services for “The Island,” while Tanzania’s Foxes’ Farms received recognition for its innovative approach to tourism. Japan also stood out, with productions associated with Monogatari Trains and Shikoku Railway Company recognized in the competition.
Now in its 19th edition, the ART&TUR International Tourism Film Festival is organized by the Centro de Portugal Film Commission, in partnership with Turismo Centro de Portugal and the Municipality of Ovar. Held from October 27 to 30, 2026, in Ovar, Portugal, the festival featured screenings, roundtables, masterclasses and a storytelling workshop alongside its national and international competitions.
As a member of the CIFFT Circuit, ART&TUR contributes to the international recognition of tourism films competing for the title of World’s Best Tourism Films of the Year, awarded annually at the World Tourism Film Awards.
About CIFFT:
The International Committee of Tourism Film Festivals (CIFFT), an Affiliate Member of UN Tourism, is a globally recognized platform dedicated to promoting excellence in tourism-related audiovisual content. The CIFFT Circuit aims to celebrate the creativity and effectiveness of tourism campaigns, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the industry. The competition is endorsed by the European Travel Commission (ETC), Central America Tourism Agency (CATA), Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Skal International, and counts on the support of the Tourism and Society Think Tank (TSTT). Find out more at www.cifft.com
Media Contact:
Carolina Fontana
[email protected]
