Comicron - International Comedy Short Film Festival

An international comedy short film festival in the heart of Sannio

Comicron - International Comedy Short Film Festival is one of the most original film events in Campania: a competition entirely dedicated to comedy short films held in the municipality of Pontelandolfo, a village in the Upper Sannio area of the province of Benevento. Every year, hundreds of entries arrive from Italian and international directors: for the 2025 edition, there were over 250 submissions—organizers claim as many as 285—a testament to a reputation that has long since crossed regional borders.

The legacy of Ugo Gregoretti

The festival was born in 2013 from an idea by the master Ugo Gregoretti, a director, television author, and ironic narrator of post-war Italy, who shared a deep affection for this Sannio village. Following his passing, artistic direction passed to his son Filippo Gregoretti, who has maintained the original vision: to champion emerging authors and explore new forms of cinematic comedy without losing the connection to the village's heritage. Alongside the competition, the village's cultural project includes the Ugo Gregoretti Study Center and the Landolfo d'Oro award.

The competition and awards

Official selection is accessed via online registration on the FilmFreeway platform. There is only one category, the comedy short film, which includes fiction works, documentaries, animations, and music videos, provided they are driven by a comedic, ironic, or paradoxical element. The jury awards:

• Best Comedy Short Film Award, worth 1,500 euros;
• Honorary recognition for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress;
• Special mentions by the jury.

The juries bring together directors, critics, and cultural professionals: in 2025, the team included Laszlo Barbo, Rosa Russo, Fabiana Sargentini, and Filippo Gregoretti himself.

How it works: daytime screenings, evening piazza events

The proven formula alternates between two settings. During the day, the Teatro Comunale of Pontelandolfo hosts rotating screenings of all selected shorts with free admission: you can come and go as you please, much like in a film exhibition. In the evening, the festival moves outdoors to Piazza Roma, at the foot of the characteristic medieval tower, where winning titles and mentions are presented, with the announcement of the absolute winner closing the final night.

More than just screenings: live comedy, books, and meetings

What makes Comicron different from a simple competition is the live element. Each evening is hosted by figures from the Neapolitan and Campanian comedy scene who take the stage between screening blocks; the program also includes book presentations, interviews with cinema and culture personalities, tributes, and archival materials, including previously unreleased works related to Ugo Gregoretti. The result is a weekend where the local public and visiting authors mingle in the square, often to a full house.

Pontelandolfo, the village hosting the festival

Pontelandolfo has just over two thousand inhabitants and is located in the hilly hinterland north of Benevento, in an area known for Sannio wines, cheeses, and the historical memory of the events of 1861. The old town, dominated by the tower, provides a natural backdrop for a festival that thrives on intimate spaces and a direct relationship between authors and spectators: one of the few Italian film events where the village itself becomes part of the show.

The 2026 edition

Following the eleventh edition, which concluded in September 2025 with very positive results, organizers have announced they are already at work on the 2026 edition. At the moment, official dates and the final call for entries have not been published: those wishing to participate as an author or attend the evenings can follow the official website and festival channels, where information is usually released in the months leading up to the event.