Paladino d'Oro Sport Film Festival

The world's oldest sports film festival

The Paladino d'Oro Sport Film Festival is truly one of a kind: it is the oldest international sports film festival in the world, founded in Palermo on December 3, 1979, as a non-competitive showcase for sports cinematography. Conceived by journalist Vito Maggio and the legendary radio voice Sandro Ciotti, it became a full-fledged festival by its third edition in 1981, marking the first presentation of the Paladino d'Oro statuette. Since then, the event has been a staple of the December calendar in the capital of the Sicilian Region.

Sport and cinema: a legacy spanning over forty years

Organized by the Toros Centro di Comunicazione Visiva association, the festival has showcased over five thousand cinematic productions throughout its history and honored nearly eight hundred figures from the worlds of film and sport. Notable recipients of the Paladino d'Oro include directors such as Michael Mann, Luigi Comencini, and Mary McGuckian. Since 2008, the festival has broadened its scope to include a section dedicated to Paralympic cinema, reflecting the core values of fair play, inclusion, and team spirit.

Categories and awards

The competition features numerous categories covering the entire spectrum of sport: short films and features, Olympic and Paralympic cinema, films dedicated to football, motorsports, and extreme sports, as well as more recent additions focusing on e-sports and AI-generated films. The Paladino d'Oro - Don Pratelli Award statuettes are presented not only for the best works but also for excellence in cinematography, editing, screenwriting, directing, acting, and for special contributions to the world of sports cinema.

Festival venues in Palermo

The heart of the festival beats at the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa, within the historic Officine Ducrot, home to the International Center of Photography and the Cinema De Seta, where screenings, exhibitions, and round-table discussions take place. The grand finale and awards ceremony are held in the prestigious setting of the Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, one of the architectural landmarks of the City of Palermo.

A festival of values

Beyond the screenings, the Paladino d'Oro offers opportunities to meet directors and production companies, exhibitions on the history of cinema, and conferences on topics such as "Cinema, Sport, and Health." A school project also engages local students in creating sports-themed short films, aiming to foster a culture of physical activity and healthy living among the youth. Admission to screenings is free (upon reservation), making this festival an event open to the entire city.