Caltagirone Short FilmFest

Short films in the heart of the Baroque city

The Caltagirone Short FilmFest is a festival dedicated to short cinema that annually turns the town of Caltagirone, in the province of Catania, into a showcase for national and international short films. The event is conceived and directed by film journalist, screenwriter, and author Angela Failla and is supported by the Municipality of Caltagirone, a Sicilian Baroque city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Throughout its editions, the festival has brought a selection of works to the Calatino area, spanning from fiction and animation to documentaries, accompanied by masterclasses, meetings with directors and actors, and cultural sessions aimed at younger audiences.

The fifth edition 2026: Open-air at Piazza Municipio

From July 10 to 12, 2026, the fifth edition brings great short cinema back to the outdoors: the evocative and monumental Piazza Municipio is transformed into a prestigious cinematic stage in the heart of the Caltagirone Baroque district. This edition focuses on the theme of sustainability—in its broadest sense, covering environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects—with a program that explores diverse languages, from fiction and animation to works addressing contemporary social issues.

Competition, jury, and awards

The festival features a main competition for Italian and international short films, as well as a non-competitive section dedicated to in-depth analysis. The jury, composed of industry professionals, includes Monica Dugo and Consuelo Catucci. Awards include Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Performance, and Special Jury Prizes. Submissions for the official selection remain open until June 28, 2026, via the FilmFreeway platform and the official portal.

Wine Ciak and side events

Alongside the screenings, the festival presents the "Wine Ciak – Cinema in a Glass" initiative, which blends cinematic storytelling with the region's food and wine excellence. Previous editions have hosted well-known Italian cinema figures such as Violante Placido, Nicole Grimaudo, and Mimmo Calopresti, confirming the event as a major attraction for Eastern Sicily.

With its open-air format and the unique setting of Baroque Caltagirone, the Caltagirone Short FilmFest is now one of the most compelling events dedicated to short cinema in Sicily.