The Festival, born in 1969 as a qualifying competition reserved for Italian and European groups, has since expanded to reach a global dimension.
The Gorizia Festival Regulations include several special awards and prizes:
- the Folklore Oscars, awarded by an international jury to recognize and reward the best element presented by each group;
- the Piemonti Memorial, in memory of the former president of the Association who chaired the Festival's organizing committee for many years;
- the "Castello di Gorizia" Trophy, a public recognition of sympathy;
- the "Tullio Tentori" Anthropological Award, awarded by the International Jury in memory of the renowned anthropologist, who participated in Gorizia events for many years.