Jacovella da Celano Film Festival

The Jacovella da Celano Film Festival

The Jacovella da Celano Film Festival is an international event dedicated to short films, held in the heart of the Marsica region within the walls of the monumental Piccolomini Castle in Celano, in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo). Established in 2023, the festival has grown with each edition to become a highly anticipated date in the Abruzzo cultural summer, attracting directors, actors, and cinema enthusiasts from all over Italy.

A historical figure as a cultural beacon

The festival takes its name from Jacovella da Celano, a historical figure of the region remembered as one of the first women in power capable of outmaneuvering the political heavyweights of her era. Her story now serves as a true cultural and identity-driven beacon for Celano and the entire Marsica area, inspiring the festival's spirit: a sharp, courageous, and profound look at contemporary reality through the language of short film.

Short films, awards, and jury

The heart of the event is the selection of finalist short films—intense and original works deeply connected to the social and emotional reality of our time, evaluated by both a technical jury and a popular and social jury. Awards include the Best Short Film, Best Performance, the Popular and Social Jury Prize, and the Special Young Talent Award, dedicated to emerging local artists.

Guests, music, and entertainment

Each edition enriches the evening with the presence of prestigious guests from the worlds of cinema, television, and music. The stage at the Piccolomini Castle has hosted well-known figures, including television presenters, actors, and musicians, in a blend of auteur cinema, culture, and entertainment. The artistic direction is led by Abruzzo-born actor Corrado Oddi.

A festival for Celano and the Marsica region

Promoted by the Municipality of Celano with the support of local entities such as the "Fabio Piccone" Foundation, the Jacovella da Celano Film Festival has become a small cult event of the Marsica summer. The setting of the Piccolomini Castle, one of the symbolic monuments of inland Abruzzo, gives the screenings and award ceremonies an evocative and intimate atmosphere, combining the magic of cinema with the rediscovery of local historical and cultural heritage.