Palena Film Festival
International competition for short films, animations, and music videos in Palena
About Palena Film Festival
The Palena Film Festival
The Palena Film Festival is an international film showcase held every summer in Palena, a charming village in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, nestled within the Majella National Park. The competition, dedicated to short films, animations, and music videos with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes, attracts directors and screenwriters from all over the world and stands as one of the most enduring and appreciated short-film events in the Abruzzo region.
A history spanning over fifteen years
Founded in 2008 by the Associazione Culturale Palenese, the festival has grown with every edition to become an international benchmark. Over the years, it has received over ten thousand submissions from approximately 125 countries across all five continents. The event is named after two figures deeply connected to Palena: Ettore Maria Margadonna, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, and Perry Como, the famous US singer of Palena descent and Grammy winner.
The heart of the event
Screenings and the closing ceremony are held at the Teatro Aventino "Ettore Maria Margadonna" in Palena. The final evening, featuring the awards presentation, is the festival's most anticipated moment: a jury of industry professionals selects the most deserving works, while special mentions highlight particularly significant short films, animations, and music videos.
The awards
The festival presents trophies in the following main competitive categories:
- Best Short Film — "IlCorto.eu" Award
- Best Director — "Associazione Culturale Palenese" Award
- Best Screenplay — "Regione Abruzzo - Ettore Maria Margadonna" Award
- Best Soundtrack — "Comune di Palena - Perry Como" Award
- Best Animation — "Abruzzo Tourism Promotion" Award
- Best Music Video — "Associazione Culturale Palenese - FlashSound" Award
A festival in the Majella National Park
Beyond the screenings, the Palena Film Festival is a perfect opportunity to discover one of the most evocative villages in inland Abruzzo. Summer evenings in the Municipality of Palena combine a passion for auteur cinema with the atmosphere of a mountain town overlooking the Majella. Admission to the screenings and the awards ceremony is free, reflecting the event's popular and cultural spirit.
Palena Film Festival — edition 2026
The 15th edition of the Palena Film Festival is scheduled from August 6th to 8th, 2026, in Palena, in the province of Chieti. The international competition welcomes short films, animations, and music videos with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes, with screenings at the Teatro Aventino "Ettore Maria Margadonna". The final awards ceremony is set for August 8th at 9:30 PM, featuring the presentation of trophies in the categories of best short film, directing, screenplay, soundtrack, animation, and music video. The official selection of films in competition and the detailed program of the evenings will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Palena Film Festival 2026
- Awards ceremony on August 8, 2026, at 9:30 PM at the Teatro Aventino "Ettore Maria Margadonna"
- International competition for short films, animations, and music videos (max 20 minutes)
- Awards for best short film, directing, screenplay, soundtrack, animation, and music video
- Free admission
Prices Palena Film Festival 2026
Practical information — Palena Film Festival
How to get there
Palena is located in the province of Chieti, within the Majella National Park. By car: take the A25 motorway and exit at Torre de' Passeri or follow the SS17, then take local roads towards the upper Sangro-Aventino area. The nearest train station on the Sulmona-Isernia line is in Palena.
Admission
Admission to all screenings and the awards ceremony is free.
Information
Associazione Culturale Palenese, Via Trento e Trieste 1, 66017 Palena (CH). Tel. +39 328 3394163 — [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Palena Film Festival
Teatro Aventino "Ettore Maria Margadonna"
Via Trento e Trieste 1, 66017 Palena