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November 3, 2026
Event date:
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November 8, 2026
Event end:
What to expect in 2026
Salento International Film Festival 2026 will return to Tricase, in the Salento area of Puglia, for its 23rd edition. The festival is dedicated to independent international cinema and has been presenting films, filmmakers and cultural encounters in Tricase since 2004. The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 3 to 8 and will be hosted principally at the historic Palazzo dei Principi Gallone.
The 2026 edition introduces a stronger connection with education, with the festival officially opening its activities to the world of schools and aiming to involve students more actively in cinema and cultural exchange. The programme combines international independent films with meetings, special events, networking and cultural activities.
The festival accepts feature films, short films, documentaries and experimental works from filmmakers around the world. Its programme is designed around cinema as a means of cultural dialogue, bringing different countries, stories and cinematic languages together in Salento.
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Festival dates
Salento International Film Festival 2026 will take place from November 3 to 8, 2026, in Tricase, Lecce, Puglia, Italy.
The 2026 edition is the 23rd edition of the festival. The organisers have moved the festival to November for this edition, describing the autumn setting as part of the renewed atmosphere of the event.
The official programme has been released by the festival, with individual film screenings and special activities arranged throughout the six-day event.
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Venues & festival locations
The principal venue for SIFF 2026 is Palazzo dei Principi Gallone in Tricase. The historic palace provides the main setting for the festival’s screenings, meetings and cultural programme.
Palazzo dei Principi Gallone
The historic Gallone Princes Palace is located in the centre of Tricase and has been closely associated with recent editions of the festival. Its historic architecture provides the main backdrop for the 2026 programme.
The festival also promotes Tricase itself as an important part of the experience, combining cinema with the town’s historic surroundings, local hospitality and Salento culture.
Full programme
The 2026 programme brings together international independent cinema, documentaries, short films, feature films and special activities.
Feature films
The feature-film programme includes contemporary independent productions from different countries and cinematic traditions.
Documentaries
Documentary cinema has a significant place in the 2026 programme, with works examining people, society, culture, history, technology and contemporary realities.
Short films
International and Italian short films form an important part of the programme, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers and concise cinematic storytelling.
Women in Cinema
The festival maintains a dedicated Women in Cinema section for short films directed by women, continuing its focus on international female filmmaking.
Special events
Special screenings, filmmaker meetings, cultural exchanges, debates and other events accompany the main film programme. The festival also promotes networking opportunities between filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences.
Featured films & premieres
The 2026 programme already features a selection of films covering fiction, documentary and international independent cinema.
Among the films presented on the official 2026 festival website are Il Miracolo di Gaza, directed by Hala Bou Saa; Corpi Mutandi, directed by Walter Bencini; Il Sogno della Liberazione, directed by Abbas Rafei; Una Terra Interna, directed by Michael Kofle; and La Strada di Antonio, directed by Donna Di Giuseppe.
Other listed titles include Come Romeo & Giulietta, directed by Giuseppe Alessio Nuzzo; L’Odissea della Gioia, directed by Zgjim Terziqi; Wild Alps, directed by Daniele Gangemi; and Federico Faggin, directed by Marcello Foa.
The programme also includes the short film Il Piccolo Soldato, directed by Roxan Karami, alongside other international works.
Directors, actors & guests
SIFF brings filmmakers and cinema professionals together with audiences through screenings, meetings, discussions and networking activities.
The festival’s official website lists previous guests and protagonists including Carlo Rambaldi, Enrico Lo Verso, John Phillip Law, Vittorio Storaro, John Savage, Daniel McVicar, Marco Leonardi, Cristiano Bortone, Michael Cimino, Paul Sorvino, Abbas Rafei, Gabriele Altobelli and Edoardo Winspeare.
The 2026 programme includes films by directors such as Hala Bou Saa, Walter Bencini, Abbas Rafei, Michael Kofle, Donna Di Giuseppe, Giuseppe Alessio Nuzzo, Zgjim Terziqi, Daniele Gangemi, Marcello Foa and Roxan Karami.
Additional guest appearances and filmmaker meetings may be scheduled alongside the screenings during the festival.
Screening schedule
The 2026 screening schedule is organised across the six festival days from November 3 to 8.
The official programme identifies the films included in the edition and provides the framework for screenings and related activities. Visitors should consult the latest programme directly before attending because individual screening times and event arrangements can change.
The programme includes feature films, documentaries and short films, together with special events and meetings that extend the festival beyond conventional cinema screenings.
Ticket types & accreditation
Admission to the 2026 Salento International Film Festival is free. The official festival website explicitly promotes the November 2026 edition as free admission and provides a booking option for visitors.
Because the 2026 programme is free, there is no standard public ticket price to convert into USD.
Visitors should nevertheless follow the festival’s booking or reservation instructions for individual screenings where required, particularly for events with limited capacity.
Filmmakers have a separate submission process through FilmFreeway, which is different from public admission to festival screenings.
Industry & professional access
SIFF is designed not only for general audiences but also for filmmakers, journalists, industry professionals, artists and people involved in cinema and cultural activities.
The festival describes opportunities for filmmaker meetings, cultural exchanges, debates and networking in Tricase. Selected films are presented to an international audience that includes filmmakers, journalists, industry professionals and film enthusiasts.
The festival’s professional dimension is particularly relevant to independent filmmakers looking for international visibility and connections with other cinema professionals.
The 2026 focus on education also creates an additional connection between filmmakers, students and younger audiences.
Red carpet & special events
The festival combines film screenings with special events, filmmaker encounters and cultural activities.
Special programmes can include meetings with directors and actors, debates, tributes and events connected with international cinema. The festival has historically used its setting in Tricase to create opportunities for cultural exchange beyond the screening room.
The 2026 edition continues this approach through its emphasis on cinema, cultural diplomacy, education and international encounters.
Festival rules
The festival is an international independent-film event founded in 2004 by Luigi Campanile and held annually in Tricase. Its official regulations cover film eligibility, selection, festival sections, awards and participation requirements.
The competitive programme includes international feature films, international documentaries, Italian short films, international short films and Women in Cinema. Special events and tributes form an additional part of the festival programme.
For submitted films, the festival gives priority to works that have not yet been commercially distributed in Italy or presented at other Italian festivals, while artistic quality, originality, cultural relevance and geographical and thematic diversity are among the stated selection considerations.
How to get there
Tricase is located in the province of Lecce in southern Puglia, within the Salento peninsula.
Visitors arriving by air can travel through Brindisi Airport or Bari Airport and continue toward Tricase by road or public transport. Brindisi is generally the more geographically convenient airport for southern Salento.
Visitors travelling by train can reach Lecce and continue toward Tricase using regional rail or bus connections.
For international visitors, renting a car can provide greater flexibility for exploring Tricase and surrounding Salento towns during the festival.
Public transport & parking
Tricase is served by regional rail and bus connections linking the town with other parts of Salento.
Visitors arriving by train can use Tricase railway station and continue toward the town centre using local transport or a taxi.
Because Palazzo Gallone is located in the central part of Tricase, visitors staying in the town centre can generally reach the festival area without relying on a car.
Parking availability around the historic centre can be more limited during busy festival periods. Visitors driving to the event should allow additional time to locate permitted parking outside the most restricted historic streets.
Accommodation areas
Tricase offers several accommodation options, including hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and traditional Salento properties.
Tricase town centre
Staying in the centre provides convenient access to Palazzo Gallone, restaurants, cafés and local shops.
Tricase Porto
Tricase Porto is a coastal option for visitors who want to combine the festival with time near the Adriatic Sea.
Marina Serra
Marina Serra offers a quieter coastal setting and is within driving distance of Tricase.
Salento countryside
Masserias and rural accommodation around Tricase provide another option for visitors seeking traditional Puglian surroundings.
The festival promotes local hotels and B&Bs and notes that accommodation in the area includes historic buildings, modern properties, spa facilities, swimming pools and restaurants.
Food & dining
Food is an important part of the Salento experience, and visitors can find restaurants, cafés, bars and traditional eateries around Tricase.
Local cuisine combines Puglian agricultural traditions with the seafood culture of the Salento coast. Typical menus can include fresh fish, seafood, vegetables, pasta dishes, local breads and regional olive oil.
The festival’s official information highlights Tricase restaurants for traditional Salento flavours as well as more contemporary cuisine. It also lists local cocktail bars offering drinks, wines and snacks.
Visitors attending evening screenings can combine a festival programme with dinner in the historic centre or explore restaurants in nearby coastal areas.
Accessibility
Accessibility arrangements can differ according to the individual areas within Palazzo Gallone and any additional festival locations.
Visitors requiring wheelchair access, accessible seating or other assistance should contact the festival before attending to confirm the arrangements available for their chosen screening or event.
The official festival contact number is +39 3287087503, and the festival can also be contacted through its official website for accessibility questions.
Best screenings to attend
The complete programme offers several types of screenings for different interests.
Feature films
The feature programme is suitable for visitors looking for longer contemporary stories and international independent productions.
Documentaries
Documentary screenings provide opportunities to explore social, cultural, historical and environmental subjects through non-fiction filmmaking.
International short films
The international shorts programme is useful for discovering emerging filmmakers and a wide range of cinematic styles from different countries.
Women in Cinema
This dedicated section highlights short films directed by women and provides another perspective on contemporary international independent filmmaking.
Special screenings
Special events, tributes and filmmaker meetings provide opportunities to experience films alongside conversations and cultural activities.
Previous year’s highlights
The 2025 edition was the 22nd edition of the Salento International Film Festival and took place at Palazzo dei Principi Gallone in Tricase. The festival celebrated more than two decades dedicated to international independent cinema.
The 2025 Best Film award was shared by Miracle Zone, directed by Alexander Sadreddini, and Broken Patterns, directed by Ben Sombogaart. The jury recognised the two films for their different approaches and auteur-driven visions.
Other 2025 awards included the Special Jury Prize for The Love of a Son by Mattia Cirilli, Best Documentary for Nyumba by Francesco DelGrosso and Best Italian Short for 12 Steps by Fabrizio Denaro.
The 2025 programme also included feature films such as My Place Is Here, Desirè, Okarina, Sunflowers, Cause of Death: Unknown, Global Armony and Yellow Bus, together with international and Italian short films.
Official tickets & accreditation
Admission to the 2026 public festival programme is free, according to the official SIFF website. Visitors should use the festival’s booking information and programme updates to confirm access arrangements for individual events.
Filmmaker submissions are handled separately through FilmFreeway. The festival accepts feature films, short films, documentaries and special sections, with the 2026 submission period listed by the festival as ending July 30, 2026.
For general festival information, programme updates and professional enquiries, visitors can contact Salento International Film Festival at +39 3287087503 or through the official festival website.
Location
FAQ
What is the primary focus of the film festival?
The festival focuses on independent international cinema, global documentaries, and short films that highlight diverse artistic voices. It provides a vital global platform for boundary-pushing artistic expressions that challenge traditional narrative structures.
Are films from all countries and languages accepted?
Submissions are open to international films reflecting any experimental tradition, documentary style, or fictional perspective from around the world. Programmers prioritize works that foster respectful cross-cultural dialogue and feature mandatory English or Italian subtitles.
How can independent filmmakers submit their creative projects?
Filmmakers can submit their feature-length films, documentaries, or shorts digitally through approved online platforms like FilmFreeway or the official festival web portal. Submissions must comply with specific production year regulations and include appropriate screening file formats for jury review.
Where are the main festival events and screenings hosted?
Primary indoor screenings and academic masterclasses take place at historic cultural hubs like Palazzo Gallone and Cineplex Cinema Paradiso in Tricase. Additional itinerant screenings and community events are hosted across partner cultural spaces throughout the Salento area.
Do student filmmakers receive any special registration benefits?
Student creators benefit from dedicated submission support, student pricing tiers, and reduced festival access options, allowing them to engage with masterclasses without financial hardship. Special institutional partnerships also offer students direct opportunities to participate in event production and media activities.
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