Florence Games Festival

A festival for video game culture in Florence

The Florence Games Festival was created to introduce the public to the dual soul of video games: the recreational side, made of play and fun, and the professional, technical, and artistic side of a constantly evolving sector. The event takes place at the Stazione Leopolda, a historic space of over 6,000 square meters located just a short walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station, in the heart of Florence (Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany).

Unlike traditional industry trade fairs, the festival chooses a vertical approach that enhances the authorial, creative, and professional side of the gaming medium, providing space for high-level panels, masterclasses, and meetings with internationally renowned designers, artists, and developers.

Festival areas

The Leopolda space is divided into different thematic areas designed to offer a complete experience for all types of audiences:

• Main Stage — the main stage hosting talks, interviews, and presentations with guests.
• eSport Stage — the arena dedicated to competitive tournaments and esports events.
• Indie Games — the curated area dedicated to independent developers, featuring playable titles and direct presence of the creators.
• Retro Gaming — a nostalgic space inspired by 80s and 90s arcade cabinets, complete with an Arcade Museum.
• Racing Area — stations with driving simulators.

International guests

The festival stands out for the quality of its guests, true legends of the global video game industry. Past editions have brought names to Florence such as Glen Schofield (creator of Dead Space), Tina Nawrocki (animator of Cuphead), Davide Soliani (game designer of Mario + Rabbids and Rayman), Kevin Bayliss and David Wise (character designer and composer of the Donkey Kong Country saga, respectively), as well as Italian creators and ambassadors highly followed by the general public.

An appointment for Tuscany

With its formula that combines culture, entertainment, and in-depth analysis, the Florence Games Festival has quickly established itself as one of the reference gaming events for Florence and the entire Tuscany region, capable of attracting enthusiasts, families, and industry professionals from all over Italy.