Sacrae Scenae - Ardesio Film Festival
The international film festival on popular devotions
About Sacrae Scenae
The Cinema of Popular Devotions
Sacrae Scenae is the international film festival held every autumn in Ardesio, in the upper Valle Seriana (province of Bergamo). Dedicated to popular devotions, spirituality, and the cultural heritage of small historic villages, it is a unique event in the Italian film festival scene, capable of bringing works from all over the world to a mountain municipality.
An International Festival
The festival selects works from various categories through an international call for entries: short films, documentaries, feature films, and animated films. The main award is the Golden Bell, presented by a qualified jury. The artistic direction, entrusted to Umberto Zanoletti, describes the festival as "a journey into the human spirit, through films that open different perspectives on devotion, doubt, and the search for meaning".
Heritage, Territory, and Culture
Sacrae Scenae was presented at the UNESCO offices in Venice, confirming its commitment to protecting cultural diversity. The festival is organized by Vivi Ardesio with the Municipality of Ardesio and the Pro Loco, and is supported by PNRR funding as part of cultural regeneration programs for small villages.
All Screenings Are Free
One of the distinctive features of the event is that all screenings are free, making auteur cinema accessible to residents, tourists, and enthusiasts. The evenings take place in the village of Ardesio, enhancing the link between the big screen and the identity heritage of the Orobie Alps.
Sacrae Scenae — edition 2026
The seventh edition of Sacrae Scenae will take place from October 15 to 18, 2026, in Ardesio and was presented on March 25 at the UNESCO offices in Venice.
The festival spans four days: evening screenings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and afternoon screenings on Sunday, with the final awards ceremony. Among the new features for this edition are a special award for directors under 30 and a new section dedicated to films about the territories of the Orobie Prealps. The competition, with entries closing on May 31, 2026, includes categories for short films, documentaries, feature films, and animation; the main award is the Golden Bell. The jury is chaired by professor and animator Ramona Mismetti.
Programme Sacrae Scenae 2026
The detailed program of screenings and guests will be published on the official website sacraescenae.it in the weeks preceding the festival, after the selection of the competing works.
Structure of the 2026 Edition
- Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17 — Evening screenings of competing works (short films, documentaries, feature films, animation)
- Sunday, October 18 — Afternoon screenings and awards ceremony with the presentation of the Golden Bell
Awards and New Features
- Golden Bell — main award
- Special award for directors under 30 (new for 2026)
- Section dedicated to the territories of the Orobie Prealps (new for 2026)
Highlights Sacrae Scenae 2026
The presentation at the UNESCO offices in Venice, the new under-30 award, and the Orobie section are the distinctive features of the seventh edition.
Prices Sacrae Scenae 2026
Practical information — Sacrae Scenae
How to Get Here
Ardesio can be reached by car from Bergamo along the SS671 of Val Seriana. Screenings take place in the town center.
Admission
All screenings are free.
Contacts
Vivi Ardesio, Piazza Monte Grappa 3, phone 0346 466265, email [email protected]. Program and call for entries on the website sacraescenae.it.
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Where does it take place — Sacrae Scenae
Ardesio
Piazza Monte Grappa, 3, 24020 Ardesio