Pop Corn Festival del Corto

Short films under the stars of the Argentario

The Pop Corn Festival del Corto is an international film festival dedicated to short films, held every summer in Porto Santo Stefano, in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the province of Grosseto, in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. For three evenings, the event brings the evocative Piazzale dei Rioni to life, turning it into an open-air cinema overlooking the port and the sea of the Argentario promontory.

An international competition between light and shadow

The festival features a competition open to short films from all over the world, divided into three main categories: Italian shorts, international shorts, and animated shorts. Each edition revolves around a theme that serves as a common thread for the competing works: for 2026, the chosen theme is "Light and shadow: projections of the soul," an invitation to explore inner contrasts, fragility, and human transformation. The shorts, with a maximum duration of twenty minutes, are selected from numerous submissions received via the international platform FilmFreeway.

Awards and recognition

The Pop Corn Festival del Corto stands out for its significant prize pool within the independent festival circuit. Key awards include:

• the Raffaella Carrà Award, worth 4,000 euros, assigned to the short film with the most original concept;
• prizes for the three competition categories (Italian, international, and animated shorts), with a trophy and cash prize for each winner;
• technical awards dedicated to post-production, such as vouchers for equipment rental and services for color grading and audio mixing.

Guests, meetings, and atmosphere

In addition to the screenings, the festival offers meetings with directors, actors, and film industry professionals, enriching the evenings with masterclasses and Q&A sessions with the audience. The event is directed by Francesca Castriconi and has hosted prominent figures of Italian cinema in previous editions. The event is hosted by actor Andrea Dianetti.

A local landmark

Organized by the Argentario Art Day APS Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Monte Argentario and the Tuscany Region, the Pop Corn Festival del Corto is now a staple of the Maremma summer. Free admission and the scenic setting of the Porto Santo Stefano harbor make it an event that perfectly blends a passion for auteur cinema with the beauty of one of the most fascinating locations on the Tuscan coast.