Magma Debut

Five evenings, five debut works

Magma Debut is the celebration of debut cinema that brings Catania and Acireale to life every June in Eastern Sicily. It is the summer spin-off of Magma – Short Film Festival, the historic international short film festival held in Acireale (province of Catania) since 2002, widely considered one of Italy's premier short film events. Since 2022, Magma has expanded its scope to include debut feature films, driven by the belief that it is essential to provide screening spaces for emerging talent in the film industry: thus, Magma Debut was born.

How it works

The heart of the event is a competition featuring five international debut works, one per evening. Each film is the director's first feature, and at the end of the screenings, a jury of experts awards the Debut Award to the best newcomer. The evenings are accompanied by meetings and dialogues between the filmmakers and the audience, creating a "five days of cinema" atmosphere under the stars.

The venues: Catania and Acireale

Screenings take place primarily at the Arena Argentina in Catania, while the closing night, featuring the announcement of the winner, is held in Acireale. The two cities on the slopes of Mount Etna share the festival, reinforcing its connection to the territory of the Municipality of Acireale and the Metropolitan City of Catania.

A school for the authors of tomorrow

Running alongside the competition is the Magma Summer School, an intensive workshop dedicated to feature film script development: emerging directors, supported by tutors and experts, work on their debut projects. This element makes Magma Debut not just a showcase, but also a place for training.

Organizers

Magma Debut is produced by the Scarti Cultural Association of Acireale, in collaboration with the Municipality of Acireale and with the support of the Sicilian Region – Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment / Sicilia Film Commission and the Chamber of Commerce of South East Sicily. The festival follows in the footsteps of the Short Film Festival, whose main prize is named after Lorenzo Vecchio, the founder who passed away at a very young age.

Why it's worth attending

For those who love auteur cinema and want to discover the directors of tomorrow, Magma Debut is a precious event: award-winning titles from major international festivals (from the César to the David di Donatello), often in Italian premiere, screened in a summer setting tailored for the audience. It is a perfect opportunity to experience the Etna region from a cultural perspective, between Catania and Acireale.