Sulmona International Film Festival

A historic festival in the heart of Abruzzo

The Sulmona International Film Festival (SIFF) is one of Italy's longest-running film events and the premier festival dedicated to short films in Abruzzo. Born from the historic Sulmonacinema Film Festival, it takes place every autumn in the city of Sulmona, in the province of L'Aquila, the birthplace of the Latin poet Ovid. Screenings of the competing films are held at the Cinema Pacifico, the beating heart of four days entirely dedicated to short-form cinema.

A showcase for young global cinema

The SIFF celebrates emerging cinema with a selection of new works by young directors and passionate storytellers from all over the planet. Each edition receives over a thousand submissions, from which the competing short films are chosen. Over the years, the event has successfully identified great talents early on: in its early editions, Sulmona hosted authors destined to become protagonists of Italian cinema, including Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino and Matteo Garrone.

Competitive sections

The competition is divided into numerous categories covering the entire spectrum of the short format:

• Best International Short Film and Best National Short Film, featuring cash prizes and trophies;
• Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Music Video, and Best Environmental Short Film;
• Abruzzo Short, reserved for productions from the Abruzzo region;
• SIFF Kids, dedicated to works designed for younger audiences.

The festival also awards technical prizes such as Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography, as well as awards presented by student juries from Sulmona's high schools.

A festival rooted in the territory

One of the distinctive features of the SIFF is its strong bond with the Sulmona community and local schools. Morning screenings are dedicated to students from city schools, who participate actively as jurors, offering in-depth feedback on the competing works. This educational vocation, combined with the quality of the international selection, makes the festival a benchmark for film culture in all of Abruzzo.

Sulmona, a city of cinema and Ovid

Hosting the festival in an art city like Sulmona, famous for its confetti and its medieval historic center, adds charm to the event. During the festival, the city becomes a crossroads for authors, jurors, and enthusiasts, confirming its status as the Italian capital of short films.