Cortisonici International Short Film Festival
Varese's short film festival
About Cortisonici
Varese, capital of short films
Founded in 2003, Cortisonici is one of the most recognizable and enduring events in the Italian short film scene. Every spring, the festival brings short films from all over the world to Varese, transforming the Cinema Nuovo and a network of city cultural spaces into a widespread laboratory of images and ideas. The event is organized by the Cortisonici Association with the support of the Municipality of Varese.
An international competition and much more
The heart of the festival is the International Competition, which each year selects dozens of short films from numerous countries. Surrounding the competition are sections dedicated to younger audiences — Cortisonici Ragazzi, for those under 18 from the region and various Italian cities — and to film schools, with Cortisonici Academy, a showcase for works by university students and training institutions. A late-night experimental section, Inferno, completes the program with more unconventional screenings held in alternative city venues.
A jury that grows with the city
The competing films are judged by various juries, from arthouse cinema exhibitors to the public, and a prize awarded by students from the University of Insubria. Among the new features of recent editions is a jury composed of inmates from the Varese correctional facility, demonstrating the festival's commitment to reaching beyond the cinema hall to engage with the community.
Cinema, talks, and outreach
Cortisonici is more than just screenings: each edition proposes a central theme that serves as a common thread between films, talks, and in-depth discussions, often at the intersection of cinema, science, and pop culture. It is this formula — quality short films alongside opportunities for dialogue — that makes the festival a cultural reference point for Varese and the entire province.
Cortisonici — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of Cortisonici takes place in Varese from May 7 to 16, 2026, built around the theme 'I'll Be Back – Cinema and Time Travel', a journey that intertwines science fiction, philosophy, pop culture, and scientific outreach.
The International Competition features 22 short films from 16 countries, also judged by a jury of arthouse cinema exhibitors (FICE). The sections dedicated to younger audiences and film schools are confirmed, along with the experimental late-night section Inferno. Among the edition's new features is the Inmates' Jury from the Varese correctional facility, tasked with judging the competing films.
Programme Cortisonici 2026
Thursday, May 7 - Saturday, May 9 — International Competition
The three competition evenings are held at the Cinema Nuovo starting at 8:45 PM: 22 short films from 16 countries are in competition.
- May 7, 11:00 PM — Inferno section, 'I miti infernali vol. 1', at Magazzini by Tumiturbi (Via de Cristoforis 5)
- May 8 — second evening of the Inferno section
- May 9, evening — final evening with the verdict of the Inmates' Jury (Cinema Nuovo)
Wednesday, May 14 — Winners' Evening
- 9:00 PM — screening of the winning short films at Materia Spazio Libero, Castronno
Friday, May 15
- 9:30 AM — Cortisonici Ragazzi, with fourteen short films in competition from the region and various Italian cities (Cinema Nuovo)
- 8:45 PM — talk on films about time travel, with screenings (Cinema Nuovo)
Saturday, May 16
- 9:30 AM — Cortisonici Academy, with fifteen works by students from universities and film schools (Cinema Nuovo)
- 8:45 PM — talk with astrophysicist Luca Perri on 'The Physics of Time Travel' (Cinema Nuovo)
The Inferno section also features a special monograph dedicated to director Werther Germondari.
Highlights Cortisonici 2026
Prices Cortisonici 2026
Practical information — Cortisonici
Where
Main screenings are held at Cinema Nuovo in Varese; other sections and evenings take place in city cultural spaces and, for the winners' section, at Materia Spazio Libero in Castronno.
How to get there
Varese is reachable by train from Milan (Trenord lines from Varese and Varese Nord stations) and by car via the A8 motorway. The city center is easily walkable.
Admission
The festival has always focused on accessibility: many screenings and talks are free or by donation. For updated times and details, consult the official website cortisonici.org.
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Where does it take place — Cortisonici
Cinema Nuovo
Piazza Repubblica, 21100 Varese