Videoslam Cinefestival

Twenty years of participatory cinema

The Videoslam Cinefestival turns twenty in 2026, celebrating with the theme "Venti" (Winds/Twenty): winds as movement, openness, new possibilities. Born as a "spontaneous experience among friends" and grown into a stable fixture of Pavia's cultural scene in Lombardy, it is now a benchmark for independent cinema in the region.

A widespread festival from March to July

Unlike many festivals concentrated in a few days, Videoslam is a widespread festival that spans spring and early summer. After the inauguration on March 22nd at the evocative Cupola Arnaboldi, the program unfolds with screenwriting, filming, and acting seminars (March to May), in collaboration with the University of Pavia, Officine Creative, and the Auditorium San Tommaso; the "Venti dai Festival" (Winds/Twenty from the Festivals) review featuring auteur films often outside commercial circuits; workshops and meetings with schools and social organizations.

The short film competition

The heart of the event is the short film competition dedicated to the year's theme, with the final scheduled for July at the Castello Visconteo. Screenings and events are held at the Broletto, Cinema Politeama, and the Castle, intertwining competition, training, and visions in a journey that focuses on young directors.

Cinema, rights, and identity

The "Venti dai Festival" review presents titles addressing themes such as rights, identity, and marginalization, confirming the festival's civic mission. Promoted by Liberi Saperi APS with the support of the Municipality of Pavia and the Fondazione della Comunità della Provincia di Pavia, Videoslam is an example of how an event born from the grassroots can become the cultural heritage of an entire city.