BAFF — B.A. Film Festival
The auteur cinema festival of Busto Arsizio
About BAFF
Cinema in Busto Arsizio
The BAFF — B.A. Film Festival is the main film event in Busto Arsizio, in the heart of the province of Varese, in Lombardy. Founded in 2003, it has grown to become a benchmark event for auteur cinema in Italy, with a precise mission: to provide space for debut films and the languages of contemporary cinema, alongside meetings with the great protagonists of the big screen.
A Week of Cinema, Music, and Theatre
Directed by Giulio Sangiorgio and organized by B.A. Film Factory together with the Municipality of Busto Arsizio and the Istituto Cinematografico Michelangelo Antonioni, the festival offers two competitions dedicated to debut films — one national and one international — judged by both expert juries and students. The program combines screenings, previews, masterclasses with documentary and experimental filmmakers, book presentations, and morning sessions for schools.
Major Guests
Over the years, BAFF has brought leading directors and actors to the city: from the Dino Ceccuzzi Award for cinematic excellence, presented to masters like David Cronenberg, to meetings with Giuseppe Tornatore, Nanni Moretti, Nino Frassica, Elisabetta Sgarbi, and many others. A characteristic of the festival is the cross-pollination of the arts: evenings often conclude with live concerts and theatrical performances, in dialogue with the parallel section dedicated to jazz.
A Festival for the City
More than just a review, BAFF is an event that involves all of Busto Arsizio: cinemas, theaters, and cultural spaces transform for a week into a large laboratory dedicated to cinema, attracting enthusiasts, students, and the curious from all over the province of Varese and the nearby Milan metropolitan area.
BAFF — edition 2026
The XXIV edition of BAFF will be held in Busto Arsizio from March 21 to 28, 2026, under the theme 'Borders'. The program features two competitions for debut films (national and international), the 'Visioni Future' contest for young talents in collaboration with Milano Film Network, masterclasses, international previews, and morning sessions for schools. The guest of honor is director Abel Ferrara, who will receive the Dino Ceccuzzi Award for cinematic excellence.
Programme BAFF 2026
Pre-opening — March 20
- Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi presents his new album live at Teatro San Giovanni Bosco
Opening — March 21
- Guest of honor Abel Ferrara, Dino Ceccuzzi Award for cinematic excellence
During the week
- National and international competition for debut films (juries of experts and students)
- 'Visioni Future' contest with ten selected short films (with Milano Film Network)
- Six masterclasses with documentary and experimental filmmakers
- Meetings with guests such as Elisabetta Sgarbi (March 23) and critic Kevin B. Lee (March 26)
- Morning sessions for schools, book presentations, and special events
Closing — March 28
- Focus on independent cinema with the work of Gianfranco Brebbia and the screening of 'Il damo' by Luca Ferri
- Presentation of the book 'La fine della fine' by Davide Ferrario
- Jazz concert at Teatro Sociale with Francesco Tricarico, the Michele Fazio Trio, and other musicians
- Closing film: 'Hundreds of Beavers' by Mike Cheslik
- Performance 'Sud' by and with Sergio Rubini at Teatro Sociale Delia Cajelli
Highlights BAFF 2026
Prices BAFF 2026
Practical information — BAFF
Where
Screenings and events take place in the cinemas and theaters of Busto Arsizio (VA), including the Teatro Sociale Delia Cajelli and the Teatro San Giovanni Bosco. The organizational headquarters are at Via Magenta 70.
How to get there
Busto Arsizio is easily reachable by train (FS and Ferrovie Nord stations) and by car from the A8 Milan-Varese motorway. Milan Malpensa Airport is a few kilometers away.
Tickets
For the full program, schedules, and access details, consult the official website baff.it.
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Where does it take place — BAFF
Cinema Teatro Manzoni e sale cittadine
Via Magenta 70, 21052 Busto Arsizio