N.I.F.F. – Noto International Film Festival

The short film festival in the capital of Baroque

The N.I.F.F. – Noto International Film Festival is an international cinematic event entirely dedicated to short films, held annually in Noto, a stunning Baroque city in the province of Syracuse and a UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of south-eastern Sicily. Established in 2017 and organized by the Magnetic Film Association (Magnetic Film Production), the festival has steadily built a solid reputation within the short film circuit, welcoming works from all over the world.

A competition open to the world

The N.I.F.F. is open to both Italian and international filmmakers, featuring short films of any genre and format with a maximum duration of 25 minutes. Each year, a technical jury composed of artists and professionals from the worlds of cinema, music, and journalism, and chaired by film critic Giuseppe Liotta, selects the finalists and awards the prizes. The artistic direction is led by Giuseppe Favaloro and Salvatore Lucchesi.

The Mario Monicelli Prize

The heart of the festival is the "Mario Monicelli" Prize for Best Director, dedicated to the memory of one of the masters of the Italian comedy genre. In addition to the main award, which consists of a handcrafted sculpture created specifically for the festival, numerous other honors are presented: Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Original Story, Best Original Score, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Venues and atmosphere

Screenings and the final ceremony take place in the historic center of Noto, between the "Tina Di Lorenzo" Municipal Theatre and the city's evocative monumental settings, such as the Baroque Museum complex in Noto Alta. The awards ceremony, accompanied by live musical interludes, turns every edition into a festive evening that blends cinema, music, and the unmistakable beauty of Noto's Baroque architecture.

A summer highlight for Sicily

Included in the cultural calendar of the Municipality of Noto, the N.I.F.F. represents a precious opportunity to discover international short film trends in one of Italy's most scenic settings. Auteur cinema enthusiasts and visitors vacationing in the Val di Noto find the festival to be an extra reason to experience the city during the summer.