Baarìa Film Festival (BAAFF)

The first edition of the Baarìa Film Festival

The first edition of the Baarìa Film Festival was held in Bagheria from July 2 to 6, 2025, inaugurating a cultural project entirely new to Italy: a festival dedicated exclusively to island cinema, under the title "Sicily and the Other Islands." The festival immediately garnered international attention, receiving over 1,140 submissions from every corner of the globe.

Program and awards

The festival featured the competitive section "Arcipelaghi" (Archipelagos), with feature films from islands all over the world, alongside films connected to Sicily, silent films from the early 20th century, and short films by directors under 30. Afternoon screenings took place indoors, while evenings brought the evocative Villa Cattolica to life. One evening was entirely dedicated to Giuseppe Tornatore; another honored a filmmaker as an "honorary Sicilian." The feature film jury consisted of directors Roberta Torre, Uberto Pasolini, and Marco Amenta.