The candidate presentations carry on until Saturday and the contest is geared towards directors and producers, aiming to “incentivise production on the mountain island.”

“The municipalities of Lajes do Pico, Madalena and São Roque do Pico are proving that together is the best way to face the future and build a brighter future for the mountain island,” Terry Costa, artistic director of MiratecArts, stated.

The association is launching the Pico Short Prize after the launch of Cineclube Montanha, which shows films in the island’s three municipalities, and the prize’s winner will have their film presented at the next Pico Mountain Festival.

“Through the audiovisual, you can bring a message to a public far beyond the scope of this country, as we’ve already proven with the documentary Ropes,” Terry Costa highlighted in the press release.

MiratecArts also intends to gather existing works that have been produced on the tallest mountain in Portugal to create an audiovisual library with Pico as its main theme.

“We want to show and incentivise the creation of content that supports local communities, enriching the island’s cultural identity and economy, as well as promoting the cultural tourism market, which has a tendency to invest in wherever it goes,” Terry Costa explained.

The association has also opened sign-ups for the audiovisual project showcase sessions and the Pico Mountain Festival photography contest, which occurs annually to incentivise and support regional production.

Sign-up to the Pico Short Prize can be made online at www.picofestival.com. MiratecArts’ objective “highlight the individual, the team and the organisational productivity in the world of arts and culture.”

Other goals of the association include producing, promoting and presenting artists, exhibitions and events ranging from various artistic disciplines. They also organise concerts, dance shows, theatre plays, galas and festivals, among other cultural events.