European Cinema Festival

An international festival in Salento

The European Cinema Festival is the premier film event in Puglia and one of the most highly regarded auteur gatherings in Southern Italy. Founded in 2000 and organized by the cultural association Art Promotion under the artistic direction of Alberto La Monica, the festival transforms Lecce—the "Florence of the South"—every November into a crossroads of languages, perspectives, and cultures from across the continent. The baroque city, with its intimate and welcoming atmosphere, offers a relaxed pace that fosters direct dialogue between the audience and the filmmakers, far from the frenzy of larger festivals.

The competition and the Ulivo d'Oro

The core of the festival is the Ulivo d'Oro Competition, which features ten European feature films in national premiere, evaluated by an international jury. The main award, the Cristina Soldano Prize, takes its name from the olive trees that symbolize the Apulian landscape. It is accompanied by the Special Jury Prize and awards for cinematography and screenplay, as well as prizes from parallel juries such as Fipresci, Cineuropa, SNGCI, SNCCI, and the Audience Award.

Tributes, sections, and young filmmakers

The program is divided into numerous sections: tributes to Protagonists of European and Italian Cinema, featuring retrospectives and lifetime achievement Ulivo d'Oro awards; the Cinema & Reality section dedicated to Italian documentaries; the Mario Verdone Prize and the Emidio Greco Prize for short films; and the CSC Showcase from the National Film School. A special place is reserved for Puglia Show, the competition dedicated to short films by young Apulian directors under 35, serving as a true laboratory for the region's new talent.

Venues

The festival's headquarters is the Multisala Massimo, a historic city cinema that becomes the beating heart of screenings and debates, complemented by the Cineporto of Lecce and other cultural spaces in the historic center. Masterclasses, meetings with authors, and panels dedicated to the transformations of European audiovisual media complete an offering designed for cinephiles, professionals, and casual enthusiasts alike.

A bridge between European cultures

With nearly thirty years of history, the European Cinema Festival in Lecce confirms itself as a cultural bridge between the languages and sensibilities of the continent, bringing premieres, established and emerging authors, and a passionate audience to Salento. The event is a unique opportunity to discover Lecce and Puglia in autumn, combining the discovery of great cinema with the beauty of one of the most fascinating cities in the Mediterranean.