Dorico International Film Fest

The short film festival in Ancona

The Dorico International Film Fest is the most anticipated film event in Ancona, the capital of the Marche region. Founded in 2004 under the name Corto Dorico as a national short film competition, over more than twenty editions it has transformed into an international event, a point of reference for authors, emerging directors, and film enthusiasts. The festival is organised by the social promotion association Nie Wiem together with the Municipality of Ancona, with the support of the Marche Region and the Ministry of Culture.

Cinema of civic engagement

From its origins, the festival has chosen to focus on cinema that addresses social and civic issues: human rights, work, inclusion, and attention to younger generations are recurring themes in its competitive sections. The artistic direction has been entrusted since 2015 to the director and cinematographer Daniele Ciprì, assisted in recent years by a team of curators. Among the long-standing supporters of the event are prominent names in Italian cinema.

Competitions and sections

The heart of the Dorico International Film Fest is its short film competition, divided into several sections ranging from national to international:

• Corto Dorico – national short film competition;
• Short on Rights / A Corto di diritti – international short films on human rights, with the Amnesty International Award;
• shorTEEN – international short films for audiences aged 10 to 18;
• Dorico Virtuale – international virtual reality works;
• Adriatic Award – focus on Adriatic countries;
• Dorico Altrove – a look at a foreign cinematography chosen each year.

Alongside the competitions, the program features feature film previews, documentaries, masterclasses, meetings with authors, photographic exhibitions, and a section dedicated to virtual reality. During the Corto Slam evenings, the audience votes for their favourite short films, fostering direct dialogue between spectators and competing works.

Venues

The festival primarily takes place at the Mole Vanvitelliana, the historic 18th-century quarantine station overlooking Ancona's port, and in city cinemas such as Cinema Italia and Cinema Azzurro. The event is a key part of the cultural activities accompanying Ancona's bid to become Italian Capital of Culture.