Scriptopìa – Film and TV Screenwriting Festival

Scriptopìa: the festival that celebrates the architects of cinema

Promoted by the Messina Film Commission as part of the Fondazione Messina per la Cultura program, Scriptopìa is the first Italian festival with a formative focus entirely dedicated to screenwriters and their craft. The event takes place in Messina, a metropolitan city in Sicily, and is built on a clear vision: to shed light on what usually remains in the shadows—the writing that gives birth to every film and television series.

A bridge between word and image

Conceived as a true laboratory of ideas, the festival acts as a bridge between the written word and the visual image, serving as a meeting point for established screenwriters and emerging talents. The schedule alternates between two complementary daily sessions: morning masterclasses and meetings with authors, hosted at the COSPECS and SCIPOG departments of the University of Messina, and evening screenings in the stunning Church of Santa Maria Alemanna, the only example of Gothic architecture in Sicily, often accompanied by live musical performances.

A university and community project

Scriptopìa is realized with the contribution of the University of Messina and the Fondazione Messina per la Cultura, with the support of the Municipality and the Metropolitan City of Messina. The scientific committee is chaired by Professor Federico Vitella, a film historian at the local university. The festival's partners include industry leaders such as WGI – Writers Guild Italia and 100autori, confirming the professional standing of the project.

Who is it for?

• University and high school students interested in screenwriting
• Aspiring screenwriters and emerging authors
• Cinema and TV series enthusiasts of all ages
• Audiovisual industry professionals

Admission is free until capacity is reached for both morning lectures and evening screenings. With its inaugural edition, Scriptopìa has launched a community of enthusiasts and industry professionals in Messina, with the ambition of establishing the city as a key destination on the national and European festival circuit dedicated to cinematic storytelling.