the festival aims is to disseminate and discuss film, as well as safeguarding and protecting the art form for future generations - the event also strives to protect the future of brazil's historical audiovisual collections. 

crowds are treated to both national and international film showings made using archived footage - there are also a number of seminars, presentations, talks, and workshops.

each year recine promotes a theme - such as the relationship between film and literature.

famous artists and personalities such as writers such as gabriel garcía márquez, mario vargas llosa, ernesto sábato, jorge amado, and caio fernando abreu have taken center stage - all of whom have a strong connection to cinema.