The Magic of Light, Film Passion!
The Biella festival dedicated to film cinema, featuring exhibitions, cultural evenings, and vintage screenings
About The Magic of Light
A journey into the magic of analog cinema
Some festivals are meant to be experienced, while others transport you back in time: The Magic of Light, Film Passion! belongs to the latter. Born in Biella, the capital of the homonymous province in Piedmont, this festival is a passionate tribute to film cinema—the kind made of running celluloid, humming projectors, and light piercing the darkness of the theater. An experience that, in the digital age, carries the precious flavor of rediscovery.
Where and when
The heart of the event beats between Palazzo Gromo Losa, in the charming historic Piazzo district, the Spazio Cultura, and the Conference Hall of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella. Three venues in the city center that, for over two months, transform into a vast, widespread set dedicated to the seventh art. The festival runs from the depths of winter until the end of February, with a busy calendar of events designed for all ages.
The exhibition: vintage machines, sets, and wonders
The core of the festival is the major exhibition on cinema machines, curated by founder Franco Fratto together with Marco Galloni, a professor at the University of Turin. Along the exhibition path, you will find rare and precious cameras and projectors, recording and filming equipment, a film set specifically reconstructed by artist Paolo Angelillo, and a selection of footage shot on vintage film. These pieces, sourced from important museum and private collections, tell the story of the technological evolution of cinema throughout the 20th century, object by object.
Cultural evenings, screenings, and workshops
Alongside the exhibition, the program offers a rich calendar of cultural evenings with special guests: directors, journalists, film historians, and technicians share the secrets and anecdotes of the big screen. There is no shortage of film screenings, true gems for enthusiasts, featuring classic auteur films shown in their original 16mm and 35mm formats. Finally, for the little ones, there are creative educational workshops where children can discover firsthand how the magic of moving images is born.
A festival for everyone, with free admission
One of the most beautiful aspects of this Biella event is its accessibility: all events are free to attend, subject to availability. It is a precious opportunity for families, the curious, cinephiles, and simple fans of history and popular traditions to immerse themselves in cinema culture without barriers. The Magic of Light is proof that the charm of film, in Biella and Piedmont, is more alive than ever.
The Magic of Light — edition 2026
The heart of the 2026 season of The Magic of Light took place between January and February in Biella, with the exhibition of vintage cameras and projectors open until February 26 and an evening calendar dedicated to the history and technique of film cinema. Screenings brought classic auteur films back to the big screen in their original analog format, while Thursday morning workshops introduced children to the world of moving images.
Programme The Magic of Light 2026
The exhibition
Exhibition of cinema machines (cameras, projectors, filming and audio recording equipment), a film set reconstructed by artist Paolo Angelillo, and photographic works. Open from January 7 to February 26, 2026, at Palazzo Gromo Losa and the Spazio Cultura of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella. Free admission.
Cultural evenings (January 14 - February 18)
- January 14, 9:00 PM — "Carosello. Stories and Characters": an evening dedicated to the historic RAI program with screenings of original commercials on film, curated by the Fondazione CSC.
- January 21, 9:00 PM — "Cinema and Mountains": screening of historic 35mm films Expedition of H.R.H. the Duke of the Abruzzi to K2 (1909) by Vittorio Sella and Cervino (1911) by Mario Piacenza.
- January 28 — Evening with the Ferrania Museum dedicated to film and its history.
- February 4 — 35mm filming techniques with cinematographer Daniele Nannuzzi.
- February 11 — Tribute to Quirino Cristiani, author of the first animated feature film.
- February 18 — "Cinema and Fashion", featuring costumes by Nino Cerruti.
B&W film screenings (16mm)
"Black and White: Auteur Cinema in 16mm" series, from January 17 to February 7, featuring titles such as It Happened Tomorrow (1944) by René Clair and You Can't Take It With You (1938) by Frank Capra starring James Stewart.
Children's workshops (ages 5-10)
Thursdays 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM in the Foundation's Conference Hall (January 22 and 29; February 5, 12, and 19). Mandatory booking: [email protected].
Highlights The Magic of Light 2026
Prices The Magic of Light 2026
Practical information — The Magic of Light
Where
Palazzo Gromo Losa (Corso del Piazzo 22/24), Spazio Cultura, and the Conference Hall of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella, in the center of Biella (Piedmont).
How to get there
Biella can be reached by car via the A4 motorway (Carisio or Santhià exit) and by train via the Biella San Paolo and Biella Chiavazza stations. The Piazzo district, where Palazzo Gromo Losa is located, is connected to the city center by the historic funicular.
Admission
All events, the exhibition, evenings, screenings, and workshops are free of charge, subject to availability. Mandatory booking is required for children's workshops.
Contacts
Official website: lamagiadellaluce.it. Children's workshops: [email protected]. Social media: @lamagiadellaluce on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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Where does it take place — The Magic of Light
Palazzo Gromo Losa
Corso del Piazzo 22/24, 13900 Biella