LuccAutori Festival

The literary festival that makes Lucca the capital of storytelling

Every October, the LuccAutori Festival transforms Lucca, the walled jewel of Tuscany and capital of its namesake province, into a vibrant meeting point for writers, readers, and fiction enthusiasts. Organized by the LuccAutori Cultural Association under the artistic direction of its founder Demetrio Brandi, the festival serves as the stage for the renowned Racconti nella Rete literary prize, created to champion emerging authors by harnessing the power of the web.

Racconti nella Rete: the heart of the event

The format has become a classic: throughout the year, writers publish their stories on the official website, where they can be read and commented on by other users. A technical jury then selects the twenty-five best stories, which are compiled into an anthology published by Castelvecchi with national distribution and presented during the festival. It is one of Italy's most recognized competitions for unpublished authors, known for launching new voices in contemporary fiction.

Exhibitions, meetings, and special awards

Alongside the competition, LuccAutori offers a dense cultural program: exhibition openings, book presentations, meetings with authors and journalists, screenings, and lectures dedicated to literary giants, from Giovanni Pascoli to Andrea Camilleri. Over the years, the event has hosted prominent figures from Italian journalism and culture and has awarded numerous special prizes, including the Buduàr Prize for the best humorous story, the Mario Tobino Prize, and awards dedicated to young authors.

A widespread festival in the historic center

The main venues for the festival are Villa Bottini, an elegant 16th-century residence with a garden in the heart of Lucca, and the conference hall of Palazzo Bernardini. Some events have also taken place outside the city, such as at the Cinema Roma in Barga, confirming the initiative's territorial reach. Admission to the events is free, making LuccAutori a precious opportunity for those visiting Lucca in autumn who wish to combine city exploration with a high-quality cultural festival.

Why it's worth attending

More than just an award ceremony, LuccAutori is a true community of readers and writers that gathers every year in the shadow of Lucca's walls. For those who love short fiction and want to discover the authors of tomorrow, it is one of the most genuine literary events in Tuscany.