Top International Film Festivals Hosted in Italy

The Venice Film Festival is Italy’s most important film festival, but several other international film festivals are held in Italy, too. Here are Italy’s major international film festivals. Even if you’re not attending the film festival, it’s a fantastic opportunity for celebrity spotting.

La Biennale di Venezia – Venice International Film Festival

The Venice International Film Festival, La Biennale di Venezia, commences in early September at Venice Lido. As the oldest film festival in Italy, 2018 marked its 75th anniversary. Each year, top filmmakers compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award. Screenings are restricted to individuals aged 18 and over, while reduced-rate passes are available for guests under 26 or over 60. Get detailed information about passes and individual tickets on the festival website.

Vaporetti, or water buses, transport passengers between Venice and the Lido. To reach the Lido from Piazza San Marco, take the number 1 Vaporetto.

Salento International Film Festival

Held in early September, the Salento Film Festival is a prominent southern Italy film fest focusing on essential contemporary topics such as peace and multicultural issues. Categories include world cinema, independent Italian cinema, and various special sections. This festival takes place in Tricase, a beautiful town in the Lecce province of Puglia. Furthermore, they host the Salento Fear Fest in June for enthusiasts of horror films.

Milano Film Fest

The Milano Film Fest takes place for 10 days each September, following the Venice festival. Competitions feature both short films and feature films, along with special categories introduced each year. A festival pass valid for all events can be purchased on the festival website.

Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma – Rome International Film Fest

The Rome Film Fest, which is relatively new, begins in mid-October. The festival features international film premieres, showcases the best independent cinema, and includes films created for and by young people.

Torino Film Festival

The Torino Film Festival occurs in late November in Turin. This festival acts as a gathering point for contemporary international cinema, offering opportunities to discuss the latest artistic trends. It comprises four competitions and several non-competitive sections, with a special focus on emerging cinema and aspiring filmmakers.

Bolzano Short Film Festival

Bolzano, located near the northern Italian Alps, hosts an international short film festival in November. This event also features the No Words Fest, highlighting films that communicate without any dialogue.

River to River – Florence Indian Film Festival

River to River is the first film festival globally dedicated to films from and about India. It occurs in Florence each December.