Periferie Animate

An animated film festival that takes over the neighborhoods of Bari

Periferie Animate is an international independent animated film festival that takes the big screen out of traditional theaters and directly into the streets, squares, and schools of the neighborhoods of Bari, the capital of Puglia. Conceived and organized by the association Sinapsi - Produzioni Partecipate, under the artistic direction of Vincenzo Ardito, the festival was created with the goal of making quality cinema accessible to everyone, especially children and teenagers in the peripheral areas of the Municipality of Bari.

Each edition spans multiple neighborhoods of the Apulian capital—from San Pasquale to San Girolamo, from Palese to Carbonara, passing through Carrassi, San Pio, and Libertà—transforming arenas, local cinemas, schools, and outdoor spaces into screening and meeting venues. The festival also extends to other municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Bari, as part of a widespread cinema project that weaves together culture, education, and community.

Short films from around the world and a children's jury

The heart of Periferie Animate is its international selection of animated short films, chosen through an annual open call that attracts works from dozens of countries. Screenings are organized by age group—3 to 7, 8 to 10, and 12 to 18 years old—to ensure content is tailored to each audience's sensitivity.

The festival's unique feature is its jury composed of children and teenagers: they are the ones who watch the short films in competition, discuss them, and vote for their favorite works, becoming active protagonists rather than mere spectators. Alongside the international competition, the program includes animation workshops, meetings with filmmakers, live circus-theater performances, and urban art projects, such as murals painted on school facades.

An educational and participatory project

Periferie Animate is more than just a film festival: it is a journey that begins long before the event days, with workshop activities in the schools of the Metropolitan City of Bari. Throughout the year, the project engages thousands of students and numerous educational institutions, encouraging young people to create their own short films, which are then showcased to the city during the final event.

Supported by the Municipality of Bari, local districts, and partners like Dream On, the festival is part of the National Cinema and Images for Schools Plan. With free admission, Periferie Animate is now one of the most original cultural events in Puglia dedicated to the new generation, successfully blending the quality of independent animated cinema with the vitality of the capital's suburbs.