International Festival of Journalism and Investigative Books
Investigations, legality, and counter-current books at Villa Fondi, spanning Piano di Sorrento, Sant'Agnello, and Sorrento
About Journalism and Investigative Books Festival
A festival bringing investigative journalism to the Gulf
The International Festival of Journalism and Investigative Books is one of the most recognizable cultural events of the Sorrento Peninsula summer. Born from an idea by tourism entrepreneur Marco Cocurullo, administrator of the Gocce group, and Il Fatto Quotidiano journalist Vincenzo Iurillo, who serves as artistic director, the event has established itself as a public space where investigative journalism meets quality publishing. The organization is entrusted to the cultural association "Per il Festival Internazionale del Giornalismo e del Libro d'Inchiesta," chaired by journalist Domenico Rubio, with the collaboration of journalist and writer Max Civili.
Villa Fondi, the heart of the event
The symbolic venue is Villa Fondi de Sangro, in Piano di Sorrento, within the Metropolitan City of Naples: an 18th-century residence overlooking the sea, with a panoramic park facing Mount Vesuvius and the gulf. At sunset, the terrace becomes an open-air auditorium, and the audience follows the presentations under the stars. Over the years, the format has expanded to neighboring towns: the festival is now itinerant and also involves Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento and the Belvedere Marinella in Sant'Agnello.
How the meetings are structured
Each appointment revolves around an investigative book and its author, who engages in a dialogue on stage with a journalist. It is not a simple book presentation: the discussion opens up to current events, audience questions, and the themes the author has explored in their work. The meetings start at 8:30 PM and are free to attend, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis; each evening is also streamed on the association's official social media channels to reach those who cannot be present.
Recurring themes
- Legality and organized crime: national and international mafias, drug trafficking, judicial investigations.
- Information and disinformation: how media works, public opinion manipulation, the role of television.
- Geopolitics and conflicts: international balances, ongoing wars, Italian foreign policy.
- Institutions and rights: Constitution, powers, democratic participation.
Why it's worth the trip
The festival offers a form of cultural tourism different from the beach-focused experience that dominates the coast: you arrive in Piano di Sorrento in the late afternoon, visit the park of Villa Fondi and the Georges Vallet Archaeological Museum housed in the villa, dine in one of the town center's restaurants, and then sit in the garden for two hours of storytelling and discussion. It is a way to get to know Campania through its questions, not just its landscapes.
The setting: Piano di Sorrento
Piano di Sorrento is a town of about thirteen thousand inhabitants in the province of Naples, nestled in the agricultural plain between Meta and Sant'Agnello, behind the marina of Cassano. The town retains a strong maritime identity—the nautical school, the shipyards, the stories of 19th-century shipowners—which is evident in the buildings of the center and the local collections. Its location makes it a convenient base for reaching Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and Capri, all within easy reach by train, bus, or ferry.
Journalism and Investigative Books Festival — edition 2026
Sixth summer edition, nine evenings
The 2026 edition spans over two months, from June 5th to August 8th, and distributes nine meetings across three towns of the Sorrento Peninsula: Villa Fondi in Piano di Sorrento, Villa Fiorentino in Sorrento, and the Belvedere Marinella in Sant'Agnello. The common thread announced by the organizers is that of legality, civic courage, controversial topics, and counter-current books.
Themes of the year
The program addresses disinformation and media manipulation, justice and international mafias, drug trafficking, implementation of the Constitution, geopolitics and new world balances, television news, Palestine, and Russia. The event is organized by the cultural association "Per il Festival Internazionale del Giornalismo e del Libro d'Inchiesta," chaired by Domenico Rubio, with the artistic direction of Vincenzo Iurillo and the collaboration of the Ad Astra Foundation.
Access
All appointments are free and open to the public, starting at 8:30 PM with open seating. Each evening is streamed on the organizing association's official social media channels.
Programme Journalism and Investigative Books Festival 2026
June 2026
- Friday, June 5th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fondi, Piano di Sorrento: Alessandro Orsini presents «Disinformazione» (Paper First). Opening night.
- Monday, June 8th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fondi, Piano di Sorrento: Sigfrido Ranucci presents «Il ritorno della casta» (Bompiani).
- Monday, June 15th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fiorentino, Sorrento: Nello Trocchia presents «Invincibili» (Rizzoli).
- Monday, June 29th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fiorentino, Sorrento: Luigi de Magistris presents «Attuare la Costituzione» (Paper First).
July 2026
- Friday, July 3rd, 8:30 PM — Belvedere Marinella, Sant'Agnello: Nicola Gratteri presents «Cartelli di sangue» (Mondadori).
- Sunday, July 5th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fondi, Piano di Sorrento: Luca Sommi presents «Solo amore» (Paper First).
- Monday, July 13th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fondi, Piano di Sorrento: Arturo Scotto presents «Flotilla» (Giunti Editore).
- Monday, July 20th, 8:30 PM — Belvedere Marinella, Sant'Agnello: Lucio Caracciolo, director of Limes, speaks about Italy and the new world order.
August 2026
- Saturday, August 8th, 8:30 PM — Villa Fondi, Piano di Sorrento: Alessandro Di Battista presents «La Russia non è il mio nemico» (Paper First). Closing night.
The meetings are held outdoors and are free to attend; each one is broadcast via live stream on the Festival's official social media channels.
Highlights Journalism and Investigative Books Festival 2026
- Five out of nine evenings at Villa Fondi, the 18th-century residence in Piano di Sorrento overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
- Sigfrido Ranucci (June 8th) with «Il ritorno della casta», one of the most anticipated names of the festival.
- Nicola Gratteri (July 3rd, Belvedere Marinella) with «Cartelli di sangue», on international drug trafficking.
- Lucio Caracciolo (July 20th) on Italy's position in the new world order.
- Alessandro Di Battista (August 8th) closes the Festival at Villa Fondi with «La Russia non è il mio nemico».
- Itinerant format between Piano di Sorrento, Sant'Agnello, and Sorrento, with three panoramic venues.
Prices Journalism and Investigative Books Festival 2026
Practical information — Journalism and Investigative Books Festival
How to get there
By train: the Circumvesuviana (Naples–Sorrento line, operated by EAV) stops at the Piano di Sorrento station; from there, Villa Fondi can be reached on foot in about 10-15 minutes by walking down towards Cassano. By car: take the Castellammare di Stabia motorway exit on the A3, then the 145 Sorrentina state road; on event evenings, parking in the area is limited, so it is better to arrive early. By boat: hydrofoils and ferries from Naples and Capri dock in Sorrento, which is connected to Piano by local buses and the Circumvesuviana.
Admission and times
All meetings are free, with no ticket or reservation required, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The start time is set for 8:30 PM; it is recommended to arrive at least half an hour early for evenings with well-known guests. In case of bad weather, the venue may be changed: it is advisable to check for updates on the organizing association's social media channels.
Where to stay
Piano di Sorrento and the nearby Sant'Agnello offer hotels, bed and breakfasts, and holiday homes at generally lower prices than central Sorrento, while remaining just a few minutes away by train. In high season, advance booking is essential.
Tips
- Bring a light jacket: in the evening, in the garden by the sea, the air gets cooler.
- Combine the evening with a visit to the park of Villa Fondi and the Georges Vallet Archaeological Museum.
- The meetings are streamed on official social media channels if you cannot be there in person.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Journalism and Investigative Books Festival
Villa Fondi de Sangro
Via Ripa di Cassano 14, 80063 Piano di Sorrento