OffiCinema – Short Film Festival

Short cinema in the heart of the Daunian Mountains

Every summer, the historic center of Rocchetta Sant'Antonio—a small village in the Province of Foggia perched over 600 meters high in the Daunian Mountains—transforms into an open-air cinema. OffiCinema is the longest-running short film festival in Puglia: an event that, for over two decades, has championed the idea that even a town of a few thousand inhabitants can become, for one night, a capital of auteur cinema. Screenings are held outdoors, among the medieval squares and narrow alleys of the village, with the audience seated under the stars of the Daunian Apennines.

A festival born from the LiberaMente association

The festival is conceived and organized by the LiberaMente Cultural Association of Rocchetta Sant'Antonio, an organization that has been promoting cinematic culture and local heritage through the language of short film for over twenty years. Established around 2004, OffiCinema has seen over twenty editions, maintaining its dual mission: providing a stage for emerging young directors selected for the competition and, at the same time, paying tribute to great figures of Italian cinema and theater with lifetime achievement awards. The event is held under the patronage of the Puglia Region and the Municipality of Rocchetta Sant'Antonio.

Short films in competition and special guests

The heart of the festival is the short film competition, featuring short works from all over Italy screened before a jury and the public. Surrounding the screenings are meetings with the authors, live musical moments, and special event evenings dedicated to the guests. Over the years, OffiCinema has built a network of collaborations with other short film festivals across the peninsula and has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Teatro Parioli – Maurizio Costanzo in Rome, a sign of growth that extends beyond the borders of the small Daunian village.

Rocchetta Sant'Antonio, a village between Puglia and the Apennines

The setting is an integral part of the experience: Rocchetta Sant'Antonio is a village of Norman origin, famous for its ducal castle and the Renaissance palaces of its historic center, overlooking the point where Puglia, Campania, and Basilicata meet. Attending an OffiCinema screening means discovering an authentic corner of the Daunian Mountains, far from the beaten tourist paths, where cinema becomes an opportunity for community and storytelling.

2026 Edition

The dates and program for the 2026 edition of OffiCinema have not yet been announced. The festival traditionally takes place during the summer, between late July and August, with the customary final evening in the square dedicated to the competition and awards. To stay updated on the schedule, guests, and selected short films, it is recommended to follow the official channels of the LiberaMente Association.