Malescorto – International Short Film Festival

Malescorto, short cinema in the Vigezzo Valley

Malescorto is the International Short Film Festival that transforms Malesco, a small village in the Vigezzo Valley (Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola), into the Piedmontese capital of short cinema every summer. Founded in 2001 and organized by the Ecomuseum of Malesco under the artistic direction of Paolo Ramoni, the festival has established itself as a key event in the Italian short film circuit, attracting directors, enthusiasts, and audiences from all over Europe.

A week of screenings at the Cinema Comunale

The heart of the event is the Cinema Comunale of Malesco, located in Piazza Ettore Romagnoli, where the ritual of the big dark room is renewed every evening. The screenings, which generally start at 9:00 PM, alternate between the Official Selection in competition, the surprise screenings of the non-competitive Malescorto Surprise section, and meetings with the authors in attendance. It is a showcase of auteur, experimental, and emotional cinema, captured in the essential and powerful format of the short film.

The festival sections

• Official Selection: short films competing for the Malescorto Grand Prix and other jury awards.
• Malescorto Surprise: non-competitive surprise screenings that open every evening.
• Insubria in Corto: a showcase dedicated to short cinema from the Insubria region, spanning the border between Italy and Switzerland.
• MaleScuola: a section involving younger generations and the world of schools.
• Short Italy Under 35: a space for young Italian directors, supported by the Ministry of Culture and SIAE.

An international track record

Over the years, Malescorto has consistently grown its international reach: the selected works arrive from dozens of countries across five continents, a testament to the festival's ability to capture the trends of contemporary short cinema. The Malescorto Grand Prix is the most coveted award, accompanied by thematic prizes and the highly anticipated Audience Award.

Cinema and the territory

More than just a film festival, Malescorto is an opportunity to discover the Vigezzo Valley, the "valley of painters," and the Municipality of Malesco, the gateway to the Val Grande National Park. The festival combines a passion for great short cinema with the promotion of an authentic alpine territory, striking a rare balance between culture, nature, and the identity of the Piedmont Region.