Cici Film Festival

A festival that turns the city into a film set

The Cici Film Festival is one of the most original independent cinema events in Sicily. Every September, the seaside village of Castellammare del Golfo, in the province of Trapani, turns into a widespread film set where streets, squares, the harbor, and beaches become natural backdrops for young filmmakers from all over Italy and beyond.

The impromptu short film competition

The heart of the event is a short film competition with a unique format: ten young under-35 directors, selected through an open call, have just one week to write, shoot, and edit a short film of up to ten minutes based on a theme revealed only upon their arrival in Sicily. It is a true creative race against time that tests talent, organizational skills, and adaptability.

The entire community as protagonists

What makes the Cici Film Festival almost unique is the involvement of the entire community: actors, extras, and crew members are recruited from the residents of Castellammare del Golfo and passing visitors. The village, from the historic center to the sea, thus becomes a large participatory set where citizens and tourists collaborate on the works in competition.

Screenings, talks, and culture

Beyond the competition, the festival offers a rich program of screenings, talks, meetings with authors, concerts, and exhibitions, which enliven the evenings and keep both locals and visitors engaged. The evening screenings, historically hosted in the town's open-air arenas, are one of the most anticipated moments: the short films created during the week are presented to the public and judged by both a professional jury and the audience vote.

A history rooted in the territory

Founded in 2011 by the CICI Association, a group of young Sicilian creatives, the festival has welcomed filmmakers from various European countries and beyond over the years, building an international network around independent cinema. Today, the event is an integral part of the summer cultural calendar of the Municipality of Castellammare del Golfo, in Sicily, included in the programming that accompanies the tourist season until autumn.

The 2026 edition

For 2026, the Cici Film Festival confirms its traveling format, distributing events and screenings across different locations in the city. The event is part of the municipal calendar that extends the village's cultural life from June to November, making Castellammare del Golfo a destination that combines the sea, tradition, and cinematic culture.