Welcome to the Messina Film Festival: A Cinematic Extravaganza Awaits!
As November gives way to December, and the winter chill sets in, there’s one thing that warms the heart of
cinema lovers: the Messina Film Festival! This beloved event, now in its eighth
glorious iteration, is set to light up the city from November 30th to December 7th. With its superb blend of Cinema & Opera, this festival is knocking on the door with a powerful vibe this year—especially in the international competition for short films!
International Flavor in Short Film Competition
This year’s competition is really spreading its wings and flaunting its international flair. With a captivating
lyrical theme, the featured screenings will take place in the stunning Sala Laudamo at the historic Vittorio Emanuele Theatre
in Messina. After wading through over 1400 shorts from a staggering 88 countries, 16 outstanding works have emerged, ready to dazzle audiences and judges
alike!
The jury lineup looks like a who’s who of cinematic talent, headed by the illustrious Fabio Mollo alongside the
talented Anne-Riitta Ciccone, and let’s not forget Leti Dafne—an opera and rap singer. Talk about a group that
can hustle and harmonize! And ugh, excuse me, who doesn’t want to judge films with a little musical flair?
A Global Collection of Shorts
According to artistic director Ninni Panzera, the competition’s scope has become
ever more global this year. Countries like the UK, China, France, Spain, Brazil, and even Switzerland are
represented, making this one international soirée you won’t want to miss. We’ve got 3 world
premieres and 9 Italian premieres. And of course, local filmmakers from
Messina are also in the mix—because homegrown talent deserves a shout-out!
But fear not if you can’t make it to Messina in person; the festival is pulling a modern twist, offering online
viewings via the MyMovies cinema platform. Finally, national exposure for the
competition—because let’s be honest, it’s not a party until everyone’s invited!
The Films You Can’t Miss
Here are the 16 participating short films:
Italian premiere
(13′)
Italian premiere
(15′), Italian premiere
(15′), Italian premiere
Italian premiere
(8′), Italian premiere
Pérez, David Piñol (5′), Italian premiere
(9′)
Italian premiere
Italian premiere
Recognition for Excellence!
And what’s a festival without a little bit of competition, eh? The coveted Emi
Mammoliti Award will be assigned to the best short film, along with a special jury prize that promises to
make sparks fly! If you thought the film scene was only about glitz and glamour, think again—there’s serious
talent here!
So, dear readers, polish your film critique lenses and prepare your popcorn; the Messina
Film Festival is about to kick off in style! Stay tuned for a week filled with breathtaking shorts,
international camaraderie, and a celebration of the finest in cinema arts. It’s time to dive deep, laugh, cry, and
appreciate the short film offerings that are sure to make waves!
It’s nearly time for the highly anticipated inauguration of the eighth edition of the Messina Film Festival – Cinema & Opera event, scheduled to unfold from November 30th to December 7th. This year, the festival is particularly notable for its international competition focused on short films, drawing attention from cinephiles worldwide.
Il competition promises to broaden its global appeal this year with a lyrical theme, featuring screenings that will take place in the iconic Sala Laudamo of the Vittorio Emanuele Theatre in Messina. A total of 16 remarkable works will be showcased, each evaluated by a distinguished jury composed of celebrated directors: Fabio Mollo (President), Anne-Riitta Ciccone, and Leti Dafne, a talented opera and rap artist. Over the past few months, an impressive collection of more than 1,400 shorts has been submitted from 88 countries, facilitated by the festival’s registration on renowned platforms such as Filmfreeway and Festhome.
Artistic director Ninni Panzera emphasizes the festival’s expanded international reach, stating: “This year, the competition has an even more extensive international scope, thanks to the remarkable selection of short films from not only Italy but also from countries including the United Kingdom, China, France, Spain, Brazil, and Switzerland. Among the selected works, cinema enthusiasts will be treated to 3 world premieres and 9 Italian premieres, including notable contributions from 3 filmmakers from Messina.
Simultaneously with the festival’s in-person screenings, audiences can also enjoy these remarkable shorts online, particularly through the significant MyMovies cinema platform, which provides national visibility to the works in competition. The coveted Emi Mammoliti Award will honor the best short film, alongside a special prize awarded by the jury.
These are the 16 participating short films:
1. Asteria (Switzerland, 2024) by Elliot Huescar (3′);
2. Brainland (United Kingdom, 2024) by Chiara D’Anna (13′), Italian premiere;
3. Whatever the cost (Italy, 2024) by Michelangelo Gregori (13′);
4. Feet (Cina, 2024) di Nianyu Zhong (8′), prima mondiale;
5. The ghost of the Palais Longchamp (France, 2024) by Gelena Baranovskaya (2′), world premiere;
6. Good luck (Spain, 2022) by Ezequiel Casamada Arnella (6′), Italian premiere;
7. Posing for America (Italy, 2024) by Luciangela Gatto (15′), Italian premiere;
8. In Your Dreams (United Kingdom, 2024) by Ayman Mokhtar (15′), Italian premiere;
9. Josephine (United Kingdom, 2024) by Antonia Bain (14′), Italian premiere;
10. No holidays in August (Italy, 2024) by Filippo Pino (8′), Italian premiere;
11. Words of a smile (Spain, 2024) by Albert Muns, Alex Pérez, David Piñol (5′), Italian premiere;
12. Aftertaste (Italy, 2022) by Nicola Scamarcia (11′);
13. Shakespeare in smoke (Spain, 2023) by Francesco Cocco (9′);
14. Susanna (Italy, 2024) by Sharon Grace Badia (7′), world premiere;
15. He is silent (Italy, 2024) by Valeria Gentile (15′), Italian premiere;
16. A necessary evil (Brazil, 2024) by Lucas Martins (14′), Italian premiere.
What are the criteria for winning the I Mammoliti Award at the Messina Film Festival?
I Mammoliti Award will be presented to the best short film, along with a special jury prize—a thrilling incentive for filmmakers striving for recognition.
So, if you’re ready to immerse yourself in an exhilarating week of cinema, mark your calendars for the Messina Film Festival. Whether you’re attending in person at the elegant Vittorio Emanuele Theatre or tuning in online, prepare for a celebration of artistic excellence that showcases the power of storytelling through short films. Grab your popcorn and get ready to witness the creativity and passion of filmmakers from around the world—this is an event not to be missed!
