Toscana Filmmakers Festival
Tuscan cinema takes center stage at the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato
About Toscana Filmmakers
Tuscan cinema under the stars in Prato
The Toscana Filmmakers Festival is a cinematic event that transforms the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato into an open-air cinema every summer. For three nights, this fortified landmark commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia in the city center hosts screenings, award ceremonies, and meetings with filmmakers, all set against a unique medieval backdrop in the pleasant early summer air.
A showcase for regional cinema
Created to provide a platform for Tuscan filmmakers, the festival has established a clear identity: telling the story of Tuscany through the eyes of those who live and film there. At the heart of the event is the CortoToscana competition, dedicated to short films with regional ties, accompanied by special screenings of feature films, documentaries, and tributes to Tuscan directors and authors. An expert jury awards the main prizes, while the audience actively participates through their votes.
Organization and context
The festival is promoted by the Associazione Culturale Cinema Italiano, which also manages the specialized portal cinemaitaliano.info, with the support of the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Prato, in the province of Prato, Tuscany. The event is part of the Prato Estate calendar, a series of cultural appointments that bring the city to life during the warmer months. The artistic direction is entrusted to Simone Pinchiorri and Francesco Ciampi.
An event for enthusiasts and curious minds
Evenings begin at 9:30 PM and admission is free, making the festival accessible to everyone: cinephiles, families, and anyone curious about the region's audiovisual production. Beyond the screenings, meetings with directors, producers, and cast members offer a direct dialogue between creators and viewers, highlighting the work of young filmmakers and professionals who have chosen Tuscany as their set and their story to tell.
Toscana Filmmakers — edition 2026
The 11th edition of the Toscana Filmmakers Festival was held from June 12 to 14, 2026, at the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato, with screenings starting at 9:30 PM and free admission. The festival, hosted by journalist and critic Federico Berti, offered three nights of Tuscan cinema including short films in competition, special screenings, and meetings with authors.
The event, promoted by the Associazione Cinema Italiano with the Municipality of Prato as part of Prato Estate, confirmed its role as a showcase for local talent, with the CortoToscana competition at the center of the program.
Programme Toscana Filmmakers 2026
Friday, June 12 — 9:30 PM
Opening night with the CortoToscana competition. The cinemaitaliano.info Visioni Sarde Award goes to the short film "Una Faccia da Cinema" by Alberto Salvucci (2025), from the Visioni Sarde collection of the Cineteca di Bologna, twinned with the festival.
The five short films in competition:
- "Dalla Lana Alla Luna" by Leonardo Ferro (2025)
- "Figura" by Edoardo Summonti (2025)
- "Legame Materno" by Simone Arrighi (2025)
- "Ruggine" by Filippo Tamburini (2025)
- "Sueña Ahora" by Gabriele Licchelli, Francesco Lorusso, and Andrea Settembrini (2025)
Saturday, June 13 — 9:30 PM
Special evening dedicated to Livorno-based filmmaker Luca Dal Canto and his works on football:
- "L'Ultima Figurina" (short film, 2024)
- "Igor. L'Eroe Romantico del Calcio" (documentary, 98')
With the director in attendance.
Sunday, June 14 — 9:30 PM
Award ceremony for the CortoToscana competition, followed by the screening of the short film "Il Regalo" (2026) and the film "C'è un Posto nel Mondo" by Francesco Falaschi (106'), with producer Francesco Bruschettini in attendance.
Highlights Toscana Filmmakers 2026
- CortoToscana competition with five short films
- Tribute evening to Livorno filmmaker Luca Dal Canto
- Screening of the film "C'è un Posto nel Mondo" by Francesco Falaschi
- cinemaitaliano.info Visioni Sarde Award
Prices Toscana Filmmakers 2026
Practical information — Toscana Filmmakers
Location
Castello dell'Imperatore, Piazza delle Carceri, Prato (PO). The fortress is located in the historic center, just a short walk from the Cathedral and the Prato Centrale train station.
How to get there
By train: Prato Centrale station, connected to Florence and Pistoia, is about a 15-minute walk from the city center. By car: Take the Prato Est or Prato Ovest exit on the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway; parking is available in the city center.
Admission and times
Screenings begin at 9:30 PM. Admission is free. We recommend arriving early to secure a seat.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Toscana Filmmakers
Castello dell'Imperatore
Piazza delle Carceri, 59100 Prato