Aracnea Film and Book Festival
The film and cinema literature festival in the hometown of Rodolfo Valentino
About Aracnea Film and Book Festival
A festival between the big screen and cinema pages
The Aracnea Film and Book Festival is a cultural event held in Castellaneta, a town in the province of Taranto, in the heart of the Ionian Puglia region. The festival was born with a precise and original vision: to create a dialogue between cinema to watch and cinema to read, pairing short film screenings with the presentation of essays and books dedicated to the seventh art.
The city of Rodolfo Valentino
It is no coincidence that the festival chose Castellaneta as its home. The town is the birthplace of Rodolfo Valentino, the legendary silent film star who emigrated to the United States and became a Hollywood icon in the 1920s. The event celebrates this deep bond with the so-called "Valentino territory," involving the museum dedicated to the actor and proposing initiatives that combine cinematic memory with the discovery of local heritage.
Two competitive sections
The heart of the Aracnea Film and Book Festival consists of two competitive sections:
- Short Film Competition: Italian and international works with a maximum duration of twenty minutes, selected from hundreds of submissions from around the world.
- Published Film Essay Competition: Volumes and essays published by Italian authors specializing in film narrative and criticism.
A widespread program
In addition to screenings and awards, the festival offers meetings with authors, cine-talks, photography exhibitions, conferences, and deep dives into cinematic language. There is also a focus on promoting the local area, such as nature walks with tastings of typical Puglian products, and the involvement of Castellaneta's high schools, marking a festival deeply rooted in the community.
Organization
The festival is promoted by the Associazione Culturale Aracnea – Centro Culturale ed Artistico APS, an organization active in street art, cinema, and culture, with the support of the Regional Council of Puglia and the collaboration of partners such as Sinossi Film, Antonio Dellisanti Editore, and La Dolce Vita. The main venue is the Aracnea Hub, located at the "7 Febbraio 1985" Municipal Auditorium in Castellaneta.
Aracnea Film and Book Festival — edition 2026
Aracnea Film and Book Festival 2026
The fourth edition was held in Castellaneta from April 10 to 12, 2026, at the "7 Febbraio 1985" Municipal Auditorium, and was dedicated to the centenary of the passing of Rodolfo Valentino, the silent film star born in the city.
The short film competition brought 17 works to the screen, six international (from Iran, Portugal-USA, Lithuania, Germany, and Spain) and eleven Italian, accompanied by the Published Film Essay Competition with eight volumes published between 2020 and 2025. The artistic direction was entrusted to Pietro Manigrasso and Domenico Palattella.
Programme Aracnea Film and Book Festival 2026
Friday, April 10 (6 PM)
- Opening with jury president Raffaello Castellano and artistic directors Pietro Manigrasso and Domenico Palattella
- Presentation of the essays "Il racconto di un sogno: ritorno a Twin Peaks" by Ilaria Mainardi and "Fabrizi e Rossellini: un'amicizia sul set del neorealismo" by Bruno Grillo
- Inauguration of the photography exhibition "Le coppie del cinema"
- Cine-talk "On stage with… Gianni Ciardo", with the Special Aracnea Award for artistic career presented to Gianni Ciardo
- Screening of eight short films in competition
Saturday, April 11 (6 PM)
- Presentation of four film essays with the authors
- Panel "The legacy of the big screen: Italian cinema yesterday, today, and tomorrow"
- Cine-conference on sustainability
- Screening of eight short films in competition
Sunday, April 12 (6 PM)
- Presentation of three film essays
- Theatrical performance and Special "Centenary Rudy Valentino – Artistic Excellence" Award to Lino Guanciale
- Final awards ceremony for all categories
Highlights Aracnea Film and Book Festival 2026
- Edition dedicated to the centenary of Rodolfo Valentino's death
- Special lifetime achievement award to Gianni Ciardo
- Special "Centenary Rudy Valentino" award to Lino Guanciale
- 17 short films in competition (6 international, 11 Italian)
- Published film essay competition
Prices Aracnea Film and Book Festival 2026
Practical information — Aracnea Film and Book Festival
Where it takes place
The evenings are held at the Aracnea Hub – "7 Febbraio 1985" Municipal Auditorium in Castellaneta (TA), with some initiatives linked to the museum dedicated to Rodolfo Valentino.
How to get there
Castellaneta can be reached by car via the SS106 Ionica or the SS7 Appia; the Castellaneta station is served by the railway line connecting Taranto and Bari-Metaponto. The reference airports are Bari-Palese and Brindisi.
Information
Info and contacts: tel. +39 388 2573875 – +39 349 0918090. Visit the festival's official website and social media channels for the updated program.
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Where does it take place — Aracnea Film and Book Festival
Aracnea Hub – Auditorium Comunale "7 Febbraio 1985"