TiCinema International Film Festival
The free international film festival of Pavia dedicated to water
About TiCIFF
A new film festival in Pavia
The TiCinema International Film Festival (TiCIFF) is born in 2026 and immediately presents itself as a major international event: a completely free film festival that brings titles from all over the world, premieres, and leading guests to Pavia. The name recalls the Ticino River, an identifying element of the city, and sets the tone for an edition entirely built around the theme of water.
The theme: waterways
The first edition's common thread is "Waterways – Amazon": water as a route, frontier, and metaphor, told through a selection of twenty-two films. Opening the festival is one of the masterpieces on the theme, Fitzcarraldo by Werner Herzog, presented in a restored print and introduced by critic Paolo Mereghetti.
Guests and international jury
Among the guests are screenwriter Paul Schrader, via streaming, and actress Sonia Bergamasco, star of the closing night with the film Duse. The jury brings together internationally renowned directors such as Milcho Manchevski and Moni Ovadia, while the role of ambassador is entrusted to actress Eloïse Valli.
Six venues in the heart of the city
Screenings take place in six locations in Pavia's historic centre: the courtyard of the Visconti Castle, the Politeama Cinema, the Sala dell'Annunciata, the Broletto, and the Canottieri Ticino. Over four thousand spectators are expected for the first edition. An ambitious debut that places Pavia, in Lombardy, on the map of Italian film festivals.
TiCIFF — edition 2026
The first edition of the TiCinema International Film Festival takes place from June 2 to 7, 2026, in six venues in Pavia's historic centre. The theme is "Waterways – Amazon", explored through a selection of 22 films. All screenings are free, with mandatory booking on ticinema.it.
Programme TiCIFF 2026
Opening — June 2
- 7:30 PM, courtyard of the Visconti Castle — Fitzcarraldo by Werner Herzog in a restored print, introduced by critic Paolo Mereghetti
During the festival
- June 4 — streaming meeting with screenwriter Paul Schrader
- 22 international films, premieres, and titles on the theme of water
Closing — June 7
- Evening with actress Sonia Bergamasco and the film Duse
Jury and ambassador
- Jury: Milcho Manchevski, Sonia Bergamasco, Moni Ovadia
- Festival ambassador: actress Eloïse Valli
Venues
Courtyard of the Visconti Castle, Politeama Cinema, Sala dell'Annunciata, Broletto, Canottieri Ticino.
Highlights TiCIFF 2026
Prices TiCIFF 2026
Practical information — TiCIFF
When
June 2-7, 2026.
Where
Six venues in the historic centre of Pavia: courtyard of the Visconti Castle, Politeama Cinema, Sala dell'Annunciata, Broletto, and Canottieri Ticino.
Admission
Free, but mandatory booking on the ticinema.it website: each spectator is assigned a personal QR code for access.
How to get there
Pavia is about a 30-minute train ride from Milan; the festival venues are all in the historic centre, within walking distance.
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Where does it take place — TiCIFF
Castello Visconteo, Cinema Politeama, Sala dell'Annunciata, Broletto
Cortile del Castello Visconteo, Viale XI Febbraio 35, 27100 Pavia