Sudestival – Italian Film Festival
The winter-long festival dedicated to quality Italian cinema in Monopoli
About Sudestival
Sudestival, the winter-long festival
Sudestival is the festival of quality Italian cinema in Monopoli, in the Province of Bari, and one of the most original cultural events in all of Apulia. Its unique feature is the calendar: while most film festivals are concentrated into a few summer days, Sudestival unfolds throughout the winter, from January to March, over eight consecutive weekends. This is its unmistakable signature, so much so that it is defined as "the winter-long festival".
A project born from a love of cinema
The event is a project of the Associazione Culturale Sguardi, a Third Sector entity founded and directed by Michele Suma. Over the years, Sudestival has grown to become a benchmark for auteur cinema in Southern Italy, capable of attracting directors, screenwriters, actors, and national industry professionals to Monopoli. The festival has a strong educational vocation and enhances the relationship with schools and younger audiences, thanks to sections designed for children and teenagers.
Sections and competitions
The heart of Sudestival is the feature film competition, accompanied by competitions dedicated to documentaries and short films (the "Corta è la notte" section). These are joined by the Kids, Young, and Baby sections aimed at new generations, masterclasses with authors and directors, retrospectives dedicated to the great masters of cinema, and evening events with guests of honor. Each edition awards a rich list of prizes, including the prestigious Faro d'Autore of the City of Monopoli.
The venue: Teatro Radar
The festival's headquarters is the Teatro Radar in Monopoli, on Via Magenta, a historic space that combines theater, cinema, and an auditorium. This is where screenings, meetings with authors, and the highly anticipated awards evenings take place. The winter timing makes Sudestival a precious opportunity to experience Monopoli and its province even out of season, amidst the charm of the old town overlooking the Adriatic and the warm Apulian hospitality.
Why it's worth it
Sudestival is not a glamorous social event, but a place where Italian cinema is recounted, discussed, and awarded with competence and passion. Those who love the big screen will find national previews, close encounters with cinema protagonists, and an attentive look at debut works and emerging talents. One more reason to discover Monopoli and Apulia in a different guise, that of the winter capital of auteur cinema.
Sudestival — edition 2026
The 26th edition of Sudestival took place in Monopoli from January 16 to March 14, 2026, confirming its status as the longest-running winter festival dedicated to quality Italian cinema. Eight weekends, 60 screenings, 9 sections, 83 guests, and 15 awards marked 31 days of programming at the Teatro Radar. The common thread of the edition was the retrospective dedicated to Bernardo Bertolucci, retraced from his early masterpieces to "Last Tango in Paris". The feature film competition awarded the Faro d'Autore of the City of Monopoli to "Gioia mia" by Margherita Spampinato.
Programme Sudestival 2026
Opening night — Friday, January 16
- Screening of «Novecento» by Bernardo Bertolucci on the film's fiftieth anniversary, with guest of honor Stefania Sandrelli, awarded the «Eccellenti Visioni» prize.
Saturday, January 17
- Guest Piero Pelù, presenting the documentary «Rumore Dentro» directed by Francesco Fei.
Closing weekend — Friday, March 13
- Focus on «Sguardi d'Albania: memory, identity, future» with the films «Più forte dei ciclopi» and «Gunat Përmbi Tela» (4K restored version) and the presentation of the book «Abbiamo bisogno di Scuole e Maestri».
Final night and awards — Saturday, March 14
- Overture by the «N. Rota» Conservatory with music linked to Bernardo Bertolucci.
- Guest of honor Riccardo Scamarcio, Sudestival 2026 Special Prize «Eccellenze del Cinema».
- Screening of «Modì – Three Days on the Wing of Madness» by Johnny Depp.
Feature film competition
- «Gioia mia» by Margherita Spampinato
- «Le città di pianura» by Francesco Sossai
- «Nero» by Giovanni Esposito
- «Breve storia d'amore» by Ludovica Rampoldi
- «Tienimi presente» by Alberto Palmiero
- «Il primo figlio» by Mara Fondacaro
Sections
- Documentary Competition
- «Corta è la notte» Short Film Competition
- Kids, Young, and Baby Sections
- Masterclasses with directors and Bertolucci retrospective
Highlights Sudestival 2026
Prices Sudestival 2026
Practical information — Sudestival
Where
Teatro Radar, Via Magenta 71, 70043 Monopoli (BA), Apulia. Screenings and awards evenings mainly take place at this venue.
When
Every year between January and March, for eight consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
Tickets
Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online via Vivaticket and at the Teatro Radar during the scheduled days. Updated information on rates and pre-sales is available on the official website.
How to get there
Monopoli is served by the railway station on the Adriatic line and by the SS16 motorway exit. The nearest airport is Bari-Palese, approximately 60 km away.
Contacts
Associazione Culturale Sguardi — official website www.sudestival.org.
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Where does it take place — Sudestival
Teatro Radar
Via Magenta 71, 70043 Monopoli