Imaginaria – International Animated Film Festival

Imaginaria, auteur animation under the stars of Conversano

Imaginaria is the International Animated Film Festival that, since 2003, has transformed the historic center of Conversano—a medieval town in the Metropolitan City of Bari—into an international capital of animation every summer. Organized by the Atalante ETS association under the artistic direction of Luigi Iovane, it is the first and only festival of its kind in Puglia and one of the most authoritative events on the Italian cultural scene.

The festival celebrates animation as an adult and visionary art form, far removed from the stereotypes of cinema for children only: short films, music videos, experimental works, and auteur films created with diverse techniques, from traditional drawing to stop-motion, and from 2D digital to 3D and visual effects.

An Oscar-qualifying festival

Since 2025, Imaginaria has been part of the list of Academy Award-qualifying festivals: the winner of the main competition for Best Animated Short Film is eligible for Oscar nomination. This prestigious recognition places the small town of Conversano on the international animation map, alongside the industry's major events.

Sections and competitions

The program is divided into numerous competitive and special sections:

• Official Selection featuring competitions for Best Animated Short Film, Best Student Short, Best Short for Children, and Best Animated Music Video;
• Imaginaria Kids and the Panorama Kids retrospective, dedicated to children and families;
• Special Events, Mutosonoro, and the FAN section, featuring live performances, music, and meetings;
• Career Award, presented to great masters of animation;
• Exhibitions by illustrators and designers, highlighting the dialogue between animated cinema, illustration, and graphic novels.

The charm of open-air screenings

The magic of Imaginaria also stems from its venues: evening screenings are held outdoors in the cloister of the San Benedetto Complex, among the columns, gardens, and terraces of the Benedictine monastery, while other events enliven the Aragonese Castle, the San Giuseppe Complex, and the Cathedral square. Works are presented in their original language with Italian subtitles, offering an immersive experience that blends contemporary visual storytelling with ancient architectural beauty.

Each edition attracts directors, authors, and enthusiasts from all over the world to Conversano, confirming Imaginaria as one of the most original cultural experiences of the Puglian summer.