Marsala Noir Festival

2025 Edition

The first edition of the Marsala Noir Festival was held on October 17 and 18, 2025, in the Honor Frost Hall of the Lilibeo Archaeological Park in Marsala (Trapani). Under the artistic direction of Cristina Marra, the festival brought together established and emerging authors of Italian crime fiction, alongside criminologists and lawyers, for two days dedicated to noir narrative and investigation.

Guests included writers Massimiliano Virgilio, Leonardo Torre, Paolo Roversi, Roberto Mandracchia, Giorgia Lepore, and Alessandro Maurizi, with presentations of novels published by Feltrinelli, Mondadori, and E/O. The sessions alternated between literary dialogues, reflections on judicial dynamics, and criminological insights, with musical contributions from Maestro Gino De Vita. The debut, with free admission, saw a large turnout and great appreciation, laying the groundwork for the festival's return in 2026.

Friday, October 17, 2025 — Honor Frost Hall

• 17:00 — Welcome greetings with Anna Occhipinti, Salvatore Quinci, Cristina Mura, and Cristina Marra
• 17:00 — "The Punic Ship of Marsala" with Anna Occhipinti
• 17:30 — "Shadows and Lights: Matilde Serao's Investigations" with Massimiliano Virgilio (presentation of Buio sulla città, Feltrinelli)
• 18:45 — "Comparing Investigations" with Leonardo Torre and Salvo Bilardello (Una vite su cui tutto gira, Necesse est)
• 19:30 — Presentation with Paolo Roversi (L'enigma Kaminski, Mondadori)

Saturday, October 18, 2025 — Honor Frost Hall

• 16:30 — "A Walk Through Noir – Sicilia Niura" with Giancarlo Piacci, Rosario Russo, Roberto Mandracchia, and Jana Cardinale (Nostra signora dei fulmini, Isole nere, L'implosivo)
• 17:15 — "My Inspector Gerri: From Novels to TV Series" with Giorgia Lepore (Forse è così che si diventa uomini, E/O)
• 18:00 — "Investigations in History" with Alessandro Maurizi and criminologist Giusy La Piana (Gli invisibili di san Zeno, Mondadori)
• 18:45 — "Noir Narrative and Legal Dynamics" with lawyer Vito Daniele Cimiotta
• 19:15 — "Chronicles from the Abyss" with criminologist Silio Bozzi, featuring musical interludes by Maestro Gino De Vita