created in 1999 by the merger of two major national film festivals - the rio cine festival and the mostra banco nacional de cinema - the festival is headquartered in the heart of rio de janeiro, at the centro cultural da ação da cidadania, a huge building located near the docks.

jurors at the festival have a reputation for spotting and awarding the best and brightest in brazilian film talent in addition to featuring the cream of the worldwide festival circuit crop.

the festival also throws a traditional brazilian feijoada on the saturday of its proceedings, which is a great appetizing treat for all.