South Italy International Film Festival

The international short film festival in Barletta

The South Italy International Film Festival is one of the most vibrant cinematic events in the city of Barletta, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani (BT), Puglia. Born from the initiative of director Giuseppe Arcieri, who serves as founder and artistic director, the festival is dedicated to international short films and the promotion of independent cinema and new generations of filmmakers.

Each edition features short films from all over the world, selected to explore contemporary themes through the eyes of emerging directors. Alongside the screenings, there are opportunities for meetings with authors, film talks, book presentations, and audiovisual works, fostering a direct dialogue between the audience and the stars of the big and small screen.

The 5th Edition 2026

The fifth edition of the festival was presented in Barletta in the summer of 2026 over three consecutive evenings from June 29th to July 1st, hosted at the Auditorium Sacra Famiglia on Via Trento. The screenings, which were free of charge, alternated between short films, a feature film, and a documentary, with dedicated moments for discussion with directors, authors, and actors.

At the end of each evening, the audience enjoyed a tasting of local wines, confirming the festival's commitment to intertwining cinema, culture, and the promotion of Puglia's finest products.

Cinema, environment, and new generations

The South Italy International Film Festival is more than just a screening showcase: it is a cultural project that focuses on young authors and sustainability. In its editions, the event has awarded prizes such as the Green Focus Prize, dedicated to works focused on environmental issues, the FEDIC Prize from the Italian Cineclub Federation, and the Terraufidia Prize, linked to the cultural and entrepreneurial excellence of the region.

• International short films in competition and professional industry juries
• Documentaries, feature films, and independent cinema works
• Meetings with directors, authors, and actors
• Side events: book presentations, performances, and musical moments
• Free admission to all screenings

Barletta and Puglia on the screen

Set between the Auditorium Sacra Famiglia and, during summer editions on the coast, the Ponente shoreline with the famous "beach cinema" at Lido I Ribelli, the festival offers an original way to experience the Barletta summer. The Municipality of Barletta, city of the Disfida and the Adriatic Sea, thus becomes a reference point for cinema in Southern Italy, capable of attracting authors and enthusiasts from across the region and abroad.