Corto e Cultura Film Festival - City of Manfredonia

The short film festival on the Gulf of Siponto

The Corto e Cultura Film Festival is the premier event dedicated to short films in the city of Manfredonia, in the province of Foggia, in the heart of Capitanata and at the gateway to the Gargano. Organized by the Associazione Angeli di Manfredonia and directed by Anna Rita Caracciolo and Pasquale Affatato, the festival reached its nineteenth edition in 2026, confirming its status as a benchmark for short cinema in Southern Italy.

Evenings at the Lega Navale

Screenings take place in the evocative setting of the Lega Navale Italiana, overlooking the Viale Miramare seafront, with views of the Gulf of Manfredonia. In case of bad weather, the evenings move indoors, as has happened in the past at the "C. Serricchio" municipal auditorium. The festival is an integral part of the summer program of the Manfredonia Festival, the major cultural event promoted by the Municipality that enlivens the city's summer across the historic center, Siponto, the Swabian-Angevin Castle, and the tourist port.

A competition open to the world

The heart of the event is the international short film competition, divided into several sections:

• Fiction short films, stories of life, emotions, and human experiences;
• Short documentaries, authentic glimpses into the contemporary world;
• Environmental works, dedicated to ecology, sustainability, the territory, and climate change;
• Local works, linked to Puglia and the Gargano;
• Animations, imagination and creativity serving social and cultural themes.

A historic section of the festival is dedicated to Sea Stories and themes of immigration, in keeping with the maritime identity of Manfredonia. Over the years, the festival has established collaborations with other short film festivals, such as the Corti da Mare International Short Film Festival in Rome and the Cecinema Festival.

The awards gala

The event concludes with the final awards evening, during which a jury presents honors to the best works in competition: best film, best documentary, best direction, best cinematography, editing, soundtrack, actor, and screenplay. Alongside the competition awards, the festival confers lifetime achievement awards and recognition to personalities from cinema, music, and culture, helping to take the city of Manfredonia beyond its own borders.

An event for the territory

The Corto e Cultura Film Festival is not just a cinematic showcase, but a cultural project that combines artistic quality, territorial promotion, and public engagement. The free evening events on the seafront attract citizens, tourists, and enthusiasts, making short cinema a moment of meeting and reflection in the heart of the Apulian summer.