The 12th edition of the Montanha Pico Festival comes to a close this Thursday, as plans for the 13th edition already occupy much of the MiratecArts association’s agenda.

“Thirteen years promoting the world of mountain culture through the seventh art, from the island that is home to Portugal’s highest mountain, makes us one of the country’s most unique festivals and part of the international network of festivals dedicated to this genre,” says artistic director Terry Costa. He adds that for the next edition—beyond the main section of cinematic works focused on mountain culture or fiction set in mountainous landscapes, and the now-traditional section dedicated to Azorean productions—the special “spotlight” section will be devoted to New Bedford. “The North American city—its stories and its filmmakers—will be the special focus for 2027.” Filmmakers may begin submitting their work as of February 1 via the website picofestival.com.

The upcoming edition will also host the Azorean Audiovisual Gathering and the PAA AWARDS – Azorean Audiovisual Awards, for which Azorean production companies and artists may compete with films, television series, promotional videos, and music videos. Terry Costa encourages everyone to mark their calendars and plan the journey to Pico Island from January 8 to 10, 2027, for the biennial event at the Madalena Library Auditorium.

The Montanha Pico Festival concludes at 9:00 p.m. this Thursday, January 29, with the screening of the latest work by Denise Fernandes, Hanami, filmed on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. Admission is free, and the screening will take place at the Lajes do Pico Municipal Auditorium.

This edition featured 35 works across three screens on Pico Island and included the special feature-length film section “The Best of Portugal.” Audiences also selected their favorite films, and the festival awarded Audience Awards to regional, national, and international works. The 2026 Audience Award winners are: First Date by Luís Filipe Borges (Azorean production), ILHOA by Margarida Saramago (filmed in the Azores), Talhados na Pedra by Tiago Cerveira (Portuguese documentary), Raiano by Marina Schneider (Portugal & Beyond), and Los Ojos de la Tierra by Matias Grez and Bernardita Lira (international documentary from Chile).

From Press Release