SorsiCorti – International Short Film Festival

A short film festival in the heart of Palermo

SorsiCorti – International Short Film Festival is one of the longest-running and most iconic film events in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Born from the initiative of the Piccolo Teatro Patafisico, the festival has established itself over the years as an autumn staple, bringing the very best of auteur short cinema to the city, with works selected from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The formula behind its success is simple and recognizable: every evening of screenings is accompanied by a wine tasting, which inspires the wordplay in the title: "sorsi" (sips) and "corti" (shorts).

Competition sections

The international competition is divided into several sections that capture the variety of the short film format. Eligible works, with a maximum duration of thirty minutes, are categorized as follows:

• Fiction – narrative short films on any theme;
• Documentary – real-life stories and non-fiction cinema;
• Animation – works created using various animation techniques;
• Video Art – experimental and non-narrative audiovisual languages.

A jury of industry professionals awards prizes for the best short film, best direction, and best experimental short, alongside a public choice award and special mentions for cinematography and artistic projects of particular merit.

Venues at the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa

The festival takes place in some of the most symbolic locations of Palermo's cultural life. The hub is Cre.Zi. Plus, located within the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa, a former industrial complex converted into a creative citadel. The opening and awards nights are held at the historic Rouge et Noir cinema, while the Piccolo Teatro Patafisico remains the organizational heart of the event. This distributed geography makes the festival an opportunity to traverse and rediscover spaces in the city dedicated to the arts.

Cinema, wine, and community

SorsiCorti is more than just a competitive showcase: it is a collective ritual where the Palermitan public gathers night after night. The wine tasting that precedes each screening creates a convivial and informal atmosphere, in line with the festival's mission to combine cinematic culture with the pleasure of sharing. Screenings are free of charge, a choice that makes the festival deeply accessible and rooted in the Municipality of Palermo.

With constant attention to new generations of directors and emerging languages, SorsiCorti acts as a bridge between the international film scene and the local territory, confirming its status as a landmark for short film enthusiasts.