GIANO Festival
Cinema, science, and philosophy to learn how to think through images
About GIANO Festival
A festival that teaches how to think through cinema
In the heart of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, in Castelnovo ne' Monti (Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna), the GIANO Festival has brought a rare formula to the Italian festival scene: combining cinema, science, and philosophy in a single review designed to learn how to observe and interpret the world. The name recalls Janus, the two-faced god capable of looking at the past and future simultaneously: a perfect metaphor for a festival that uses films as a tool for critical reflection on the present.
The Bismantova Theatre, home of the festival
All screenings are held at the Bismantova Theatre, at Via Roma 75, a historic cultural venue in the Municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti at the foot of the striking Pietra di Bismantova. The festival structure includes evenings open to the public and morning repeats reserved for high school students, confirming the event's strong educational focus.
Cinema plus debate: the heart of the formula
Each screening is never just a simple show: the film is put into dialogue with special guests — directors, actors, producers, scientists, philosophers, journalists, and personalities from the academic world — who discuss its themes with the audience. It is in this transition from viewing to discussion that the festival fulfills its mission: transforming cinema into a gym for thought.
A review spread over time
Unlike festivals concentrated in a few days, GIANO unfolds throughout the year with events in autumn and spring. The third edition, dedicated to the theme "Imperfect Future", was structured between the inaugural days in November and screenings in January, March, and May, addressing the world of work, literature, geopolitics, and the environment.
Who organizes the festival
GIANO Festival is promoted by the Municipality of Castelnovo ne' Monti together with the realities of Thedotcompany and Energee3 and the Bismantova Theatre, under the artistic direction of film critic Fabio Canessa. A project that has managed to take root in the territory of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, bringing national guests to a mountain setting.
- Where: Bismantova Theatre, Castelnovo ne' Monti (RE)
- What: film screenings with meetings and debates
- Admission: free
- Themes: cinema, science, philosophy, current events
GIANO Festival — edition 2026
The third edition of the GIANO Festival, dedicated to the theme "Imperfect Future", unfolded as a review spread over time: after the inaugural days in November 2025, the program continued with evening screenings at the Bismantova Theatre in January, March, and May 2026.
The common thread of the edition was the relationship between humans and the great transformations of our time — work, literature, geopolitics, and the environment — told through cinema and discussed with nationally renowned guests. All evenings, under the artistic direction of Fabio Canessa, were free admission.
Programme GIANO Festival 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- Genius (Michael Grandage, 2016) — Bismantova Theatre. The film recounts the encounter between legendary editor Maxwell Perkins (Colin Firth) and writer Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law) in 1929 New York, with Nicole Kidman and Guy Pearce in the cast. A reflection on the relationship between literary talent and publishing.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 — 9:00 PM
- A Plastic Ocean (Craig Leeson) — Bismantova Theatre. Documentary on plastic pollution in the oceans: about 8 million tons of plastic end up in the seas each year. Concluding evening of the review, with the participation of Fabio Canessa (artistic director) and Lorenzo Cremonesi (special correspondent for Corriere della Sera, expert in geopolitics).
The review also included events in January 2026 and the inaugural days of November 14-16, 2025, with the screening of Impiegati by Pupi Avati (attended by actor Claudio Botosso) and Fantasmi a Roma by Antonio Pietrangeli, as well as an exhibition dedicated to Ennio Flaiano.
Highlights GIANO Festival 2026
Prices GIANO Festival 2026
Practical information — GIANO Festival
How to get there
Castelnovo ne' Monti is located in the Reggio Emilia Apennines, about an hour from Reggio Emilia. By car, it can be reached from the SS63 of the Cerreto Pass; by train, arrive in Reggio Emilia and continue with Seta intercity buses towards Castelnovo Monti. The Bismantova Theatre is at Via Roma 75, in the town center.
Admission and reservations
Admission to all screenings is free. Evenings are open to the public, while morning repeats are reserved for high schools. For information: Bismantova Theatre tel. +39 0522 614078, or [email protected].
Where to stay
Castelnovo ne' Monti offers hotels, B&Bs, and farm stays in the Pietra di Bismantova area, also ideal for combining film viewing with a weekend of hiking and Apennine nature.
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Where does it take place — GIANO Festival
Teatro Bismantova
Via Roma 75, 42035 Castelnovo ne' Monti