EtnAci Film Festival and Literary Prize

A film festival at the foot of Mount Etna

The EtnAci Film Festival and Literary Prize is one of the longest-running cultural events in the Etna region. Every summer, it transforms the village of Aci Sant'Antonio, in the province of Catania, into a meeting point for directors, authors, and film enthusiasts. Established in the late 2000s and reaching its fifteenth edition in 2024, the festival focuses on short cinema—featuring short and medium-length films on open themes from Italy and abroad.

Cinema, culture, and literature

The program blends screenings, talks, and thematic conferences with live music and performances. Alongside the film competition, EtnAci includes the EtnAci Literary Prize, which annually recognizes the work of writers and publishing professionals. Past editions have honored authors such as Marinella Fiume, Rosalda Schillaci, Filippo Triolo, and Francesco Diego Tosto. The artistic direction is led by Rosario Sorace, who is also the editorial director of Clessidra 2021, the association promoting the event in partnership with the Municipality of Aci Sant'Antonio.

The festival venues

The beating heart of the festival is the Corte di Palazzo Cantarella, an elegant historical setting in the town center, complemented by the Villa Comunale for open-air evenings. The open-air summer atmosphere, free admission, and the intimate scale of the Etna village make EtnAci a local highlight that attracts a loyal audience and notable figures from independent cinema.

A community event

More than just a film festival, EtnAci is a cultural and social project that promotes Aci Sant'Antonio and the surrounding Etna area, bridging the language of short film with local literary traditions. The evenings, free and open to all, combine competition screenings, award ceremonies, and entertainment, confirming the festival's commitment to fostering local culture in one of the most characteristic villages in the province of Catania.