Catania Film Fest

A festival dedicated to Mediterranean independent cinema

The Catania Film Fest is one of the most significant film events in Southern Italy, entirely dedicated to independent European and Mediterranean cinema. Founded in 2012 by Cateno Piazza, who serves as artistic director, the festival takes place every autumn at the Zò Centro Culture Contemporanee, a cultural landmark of contemporary Catania, located in the municipality of Catania and the metropolitan area of the same name in Sicily. In 2026, the festival celebrates its fifteenth edition, confirming its status as a unique showcase for filmmakers and works from over fifteen countries across the Euro-Mediterranean basin.

Sections and Awards

The heart of the festival is the official competition, divided into three categories dedicated to Euro-Mediterranean feature films and documentaries, Italian independent feature films and documentaries, and European short films. The works, often premiering in Italy or presented as Sicilian premieres, compete for the 'Elefante' awards—a tribute to the city's symbol—granted to the best Euro-Mediterranean independent film, the best Italian independent film, and the best short film.

• Catania Film Euromediterranea: European and Mediterranean feature films and documentaries
• Catania Film Italiana: Italian independent feature films and documentaries
• Catania Corto Euromediterranea: European short films in competition

Alongside the competition, a rich non-competitive section offers out-of-competition screenings, thematic focuses on national cinemas, a showcase of Sicilian short films, and initiatives dedicated to film crafts, as well as special events including book presentations, exhibitions, tastings, and musical performances.

2026 Edition: Ukraine Special

The fifteenth edition, scheduled from November 11 to 14, 2026, pays special attention to dialogue between peoples with a Ukraine Special: a screening of Ukrainian animated short films, the presentation of films and documentaries co-produced with Italy, and meetings with authors to explore the language of that cinema. The festival is also part of the initiatives supporting Catania's bid for the Italian Capital of Culture.

Cinema, City, and Territory

Beyond the screenings, the Catania Film Fest builds a program of cross-disciplinary projects that weave cinema with the territory: movie tourism itineraries, retrospectives, training sessions for young people, and activities that enhance the cultural and landscape heritage of Sicily. The Zò Centro Culture Contemporanee, a former sulfur mine reclaimed and transformed into a cultural hub, provides the ideal setting for an event that combines cinematic research, hospitality, and urban identity.