European Cinema Festival

The 26th edition of the European Cinema Festival was held in Lecce from November 15 to 22, 2025 at the Multisala Massimo, under the artistic direction of Alberto La Monica. The Ulivo d'Oro Competition - Cristina Soldano Prize featured ten European feature films in national premiere, judged by an international jury chaired by producer Lene Børglum, with the Ulivo d'Oro awarded to the best film, alongside the Special Jury Prize, awards for cinematography and screenplay, and prizes from Fipresci, Cineuropa, SNGCI, SNCCI, and the Audience.

The Protagonists of European Cinema section paid tribute to Lars von Trier, with a retrospective of ten films, a meeting with producer Louise Vesth, and the lifetime achievement Ulivo d'Oro; the Protagonists of Italian Cinema section celebrated Saverio Costanzo, with six feature films on the program and a meeting moderated by Enrico Magrelli. The lineup was completed by the Mario Verdone Prize, the Emidio Greco Prize, the Cinema & Reality section, the CSC Showcase, and Puglia Show, featuring twenty-seven short films by Apulian directors under 35.