The Algarve Nature Week promotional video won 1st prize, in the “Rural and Nature Tourism” category, of the International Film and Tourism Festival Art&Tur 2015, which took place in Vila Nova de Gaia.
The Algarve film was a work by the Algarve production company Margem Produções for the Algarve Tourism Region and had direction and script by João Viegas and photography and editing by Pedro Matos.
Art&Tur put up for competition some of the best works in the audiovisual world related to the tourism sector, whether documentaries, promotional films or even advertising spots. The 8th edition of this event took place between 20 and 24 October, in Gaia.
In total, there were 256 films in competition at the Festival, originating in 54 different countries, divided into 15 thematic categories, such as “Tourist Destinations”, “Cultural Tourism”, “Hotels and Resorts”, “Gastronomy and Wines”, “ Religious Tourism”, “Rural and Nature Tourism”, among others.
Lasting five minutes, “Região de Leiria – Território de Maravilhas” was the film awarded the Grand Prix Art&Tur 2015 – National Competition, having also received first prize in the category “Tourist Destinations”.
In the international competition, the winner of the Grand Prix Art&Tur 2015 was “Hola Islas Canarias” which, with four minutes and eight seconds, was also in 1st place in the “Tourism Destination” category and won the “Best Commercial” award.
The jury, which brings together national and international experts, also awarded special prizes to the films “Pearl of the Indian Ocean II” (City of Vila Nova de Gaia Award), “The Mallorca Adventure” (Best Ibero-American Film), “TAP Safety Video – 70th Anniversary “ (Branding & Business Award), “North Portugal – A Unique Region” (Innovative Destination Award), “In Love This Summer” (Best Asian Film), “Incredible Corumbá” (Best Lusophony Film), “Music Voyager TV Series” (Creative Tourism Network Award) and “Dubai in 5 Days” (Skal International Award).
The technical awards were for “Could only happen in Ghent” (Best Promotional), “Castles and palaces of Europe / Schlösserwelten Europas” (Best Documentary), “Music Voyager TV Series” (Best TV Program), “A New Imperial HiStory – Memories are the future” (Best Art Direction Award) and “Ria de Aveiro, the Passion that Unites us” (Best Audiovisual Tourism Campaign).
At national level, the German film “Castles and palaces of Europe / Schlösserwelten Europas” won first prize in the “Cultural Tourism” category, which, in the international competition, recognized the Spanish work “Bienvenidos al Prado”.
In the category “Sports and Outdoor Activities”, the film “Ria de Aveiro, the Passion that Unites us” was the national winner and the Spanish “Open 365” was awarded in the international competition.
“The Spirit of Discovery – Corinthia Hotel Lisbon”, from Portugal, won the prize in the category “Hotels, Spas & Resorts” both in the national and international competition.
In the category “Rural and Nature Tourism”, the films “Algarve Nature Week” (National Competition) and “Reencuentra sensaciones (Reencounter sensations)” (International Competition) took first place.
The “Reopening of the Convent of Jesus” convinced the jurors in the “Religious Tourism” category that, at an international level, saw the award for Taiwan's “Qingxiu Yuan through the ages” work.
As for “Gastronomy and Wine”, the big national winner was “Porto Ferreira – Waterloo Vintage 1815” and the international “El nacional”.
“ArtBeerFest Caminha 2014” (national) and “Triumph Tridays Event In Austria” (international) were the winners in the “Events, Fairs and Congresses” category, and in the “Human Life” class, “Fishtour – A unique” experience on the sardine route” (national) and “Olufuko” (international).
“Lagoa de Óbidos – Living Heritage” (national) and “CBT Vietnam: Series” (international) came first in the “People and Places” category while “Don't Let Our Wolves Become Homeless – Last Push” and “Nature & Wildlife of Southern Africa” were the winners in the “Ecology and Biodiversity” category.
The Art&Tur jury also awarded the films "Terra Nostra Moments" (national) and "Más facil de lo que crees, mais about what you imagine - Series" (international) in the category "Health and Wellness Tourism" and in the section “Filmes em Animação” awarded first place to “Casa da Atalaia” (national) and “Why Hong Kong” (international).
Nature tourism is a product on the rise in Europe, and it is estimated that it will motivate around 26 million trips in 2020.
The Algarve has about 40 percent of the area with conservation status, offering 19 classified areas – five protected and 14 integrated in the Natura 2000 network.
The first edition of Algarve Nature Week, between 11 and 19 April, showed the natural beauty of the destination to thousands of people looking for outdoor activities with special discounts. RTA guarantees that “in 2016, the event will return with more promotions and new experiences”.
Updated at 12:05 on the 27th, adding information provided by the RTA.
See the award-winning promotional video here:
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