To paraphrase Freud, behind every great movie is a great argument, and behind a big argument, most often, is a great book. When Cinema was born in 1895, and had emerged as the Seventh Art, Literature (Sixth of Arts), already had long and rich history. No wonder Cinema, characterized by it’s irreverence and ambitiousness, has turned to it’s older sister for inspiration, plots, stories and characters.This almost umbilical connection runs through the history of cinema, as an almost perfect passion. But like all passions, there are moments of overwhelming intensity, sublime betrayals, mediocre or brilliant adaptations. Without the support of Literature, Cinema would perhaps be a hollow technique, an invention without a future. With inspiration in Literature, Cinema is a dream that is making millions of viewers worldwide dream, the great art of our time, a creative synthesis of all the arts.Recognizing the importance of Literature in Cinema, rather than diminishing it, will only magnify it.

The history and importance is what birthed The Cinetrofa - International Film and Literature Festival establised in 2014 and over the years has grown to become one of the main platform for artistic literature cinematic films in Portugal.

The aim of the festival is to present the latest works of cinema expecially literature texts made for cinema, support the creative search of the filmmakers making films from some of the world's best literature texts and discover new names, geographical and aesthetic territories. With strong emphasis on films made by thes directors, the festival also welcomes other independent films made by filmmakers from all over the world and screened in a special category. The Festival program and the order of films demonstration are determined by the Festival Board of Directors.