Adriatic Film Festival 2027, Francavilla al Mare, Italy

What to expect in 2027

Adriatic Film Festival returns to Francavilla al Mare as an independent film festival focused particularly on short films and documentaries. Organized by the cultural association Adriatic Movie, the festival brings together Italian and international cinema, emerging filmmakers, established industry professionals and audiences in a seaside setting.

The 2027 edition is planned for June 2027, with the exact festival dates still to be announced. The programme is expected to continue the festival’s established combination of competition screenings, feature films, documentaries, animation, school cinema, filmmaker meetings and industry activities.

Recent editions have also expanded the festival’s international character through collaborations with partner festivals and film organizations, while maintaining a strong connection with the Abruzzo filmmaking community.

Festival dates

Adriatic Film Festival 2027 is planned for June 2027 in Francavilla al Mare. The exact dates have not yet been announced.

The festival normally develops its programme across several days, combining afternoon and evening screenings with talks, meetings, special presentations and award activities.

The final calendar, screening times and individual event schedule should be confirmed through the official Adriatic Film Festival programme once released.

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Venues & festival locations

The principal festival location is Palazzo Sirena, a cultural complex overlooking the Adriatic coast in Francavilla al Mare. The auditorium has 274 seats and is specifically presented by the festival as a location suitable for hosting the Adriatic Film Festival.

Palazzo Sirena

Via Aldo Moro, 66023 Francavilla al Mare, Italy

Recent editions have concentrated screenings and major festival activities at the Palazzo Sirena auditorium, with the surrounding square and seafront providing an attractive setting for meetings and festival gatherings.

Full programme

The Adriatic Film Festival programme is centred on independent cinema and includes several competitive sections.

• International short films
• Italian short films
• Worldwide documentaries
• School short films
• Animation shorts
• Debut feature films
• Out-of-competition feature films
• Pitch Contest
• International partner selections
• Audience Award
• Industry meetings
• Workshops and discussions
• Filmmaker presentations
• Adriatic Awards

The festival’s official description identifies International Short, National Short, Documentary, Short Academy/School and Animation as its principal sections.

The out-of-competition programme can also include recently produced feature films, adding longer-form cinema to the short-film competition.

Featured films & premieres

The 2027 film selection has not yet been announced. Based on the current festival structure, the programme is expected to feature international and Italian short films, documentaries, animation, school productions and debut feature films.

The festival has a history of presenting premieres and first screenings. Previous selections have included national premieres as well as debut features and films from international partner festivals.

The 2027 premiere status of individual films will be confirmed when the official selection is released. Visitors should check the final programme for information about world, European, Italian or regional premieres.

Directors, actors & guests

Adriatic Film Festival regularly brings directors, actors, producers, cinematographers and other film professionals to Francavilla al Mare.

The most recent festival jury included producer Mark Foligno as president, cinematographer Michele D’Attanasio, director and producer Cristiano Di Felice, director Luca Verdone, actress Lucrezia Guidone, actress and director Beatrice Baldacci and creative director Federico Mauro.

Recent editions have also welcomed prominent guests including Laura Morante, Valerio Mastandrea, Sara Serraiocco and Lucrezia Guidone, alongside directors, producers and other professionals connected with the selected films.

The complete 2027 guest and jury announcements will be published closer to the festival.

Screening schedule

The detailed 2027 screening schedule has not yet been released.

The festival’s established format includes afternoon and evening screenings, with individual sessions dedicated to competition categories and special presentations. Selected filmmakers and guests can also participate in discussions connected with the screenings.

Visitors should consult the final official programme for the exact screening order, venue allocation, film titles and guest appearances.

Ticket types & accreditation

Public admission pricing for the 2027 edition has not yet been announced. Previous editions have consistently offered free access to festival screenings and public events.

• General admission: $0
• Competition screenings: $0
• Special screenings: $0 where included in the public festival programme
• Public talks and meetings: $0 where publicly programmed
• Filmmaker submission fees: Separate from public admission

The festival has previously described its screenings as free to the public, including recent editions.

For filmmaker submissions, the most recent published fee structure provides reference amounts converted to USD:

• Debut feature film: $17.55–$46.80
• Short film: $10.53–$29.25
• School short: $10.53–$23.40
• Documentary: $11.70–$40.95
• Animation short: $10.53–$23.40
• Pitch Contest: $29.25–$46.80

These are previous published submission fees and should not be treated as confirmed 2027 fees.

Industry & professional access

Adriatic Film Festival has an active professional dimension, connecting independent filmmakers with producers, distributors, film schools, critics and other cinema professionals.

The Pitch Contest is particularly relevant to emerging writers and filmmakers. Finalists receive access to the festival’s industry activities and opportunities to meet producers and distributors to present their projects.

The festival also works with IFA Scuola di Cinema, supporting film education and the development of new creative and professional talent.

Red carpet & special events

The festival combines screenings with talks, guest appearances, award presentations and cultural events.

Special programming can include:

• Filmmaker and actor meetings
• Festival talks
• International partner presentations
• Out-of-competition films
• Pitch Contest activities
• School cinema presentations
• Audience Award activities
• Adriatic Awards
• Special jury recognitions
• Industry meetings
• Workshops and educational events

Previous editions have also included literary and cultural meetings alongside the cinema programme, giving the festival a broader cultural dimension.

Festival rules

The most recently published competition rules allow debut feature films, short films, school shorts, documentaries and animation shorts to enter the selection. Short films can be no longer than 40 minutes, while documentaries have no specified maximum duration.

Key requirements include:

• Films must have been completed after the eligibility threshold specified by the festival
• Short films must respect the maximum duration requirement
• Non-Italian films must provide English subtitles
• Italian-language works are preferably supplied with English subtitles
• Each participant may submit a maximum of two works
• The theme is unrestricted
• Selected filmmakers are contacted by the festival regarding screening arrangements
• Submitted works are retained in the festival archive
• Participants must hold the necessary rights to their work
• The organization may use submitted works for cultural purposes under its published rules

The festival may also modify portions of its regulations through official announcements.

How to get there

Francavilla al Mare is a coastal town in Abruzzo, close to Pescara and well positioned for visitors travelling through central Italy.

Pescara Abruzzo Airport is the nearest major airport and provides the most convenient air connection for many international visitors.

The town can also be reached by rail and road from Pescara, Chieti and other Abruzzo destinations. Visitors travelling from Rome or other Italian cities can connect through the regional railway network.

Public transport & parking

Local buses and regional transport connect Francavilla al Mare with nearby Pescara, Chieti and surrounding communities.

The festival’s principal venue is located near the seafront and central parts of Francavilla, making it possible to combine local walking with public transport.

Visitors arriving by car should allow additional time to find parking around Palazzo Sirena and the waterfront, particularly during busy festival evenings.

Accommodation areas

Visitors can choose from hotels, guesthouses, holiday apartments and seaside accommodation in Francavilla al Mare and the surrounding area.

• Francavilla al Mare Centre: Convenient for Palazzo Sirena, restaurants and the seafront
• Seafront area: Useful for visitors wanting accommodation close to festival activities
• Pescara: A larger accommodation base with extensive transport connections
• Marina di Pescara: Suitable for visitors combining the festival with a coastal stay
• Ortona: A quieter alternative within the wider coastal area

Staying in central Francavilla provides the easiest access to the main festival venue and surrounding evening activities.

Food & dining

Francavilla al Mare offers a combination of Abruzzo cuisine and Adriatic seafood. Restaurants around the waterfront and central streets serve fish, pasta, pizza and regional specialities.

Visitors can also explore traditional Abruzzo dishes, including arrosticini, handmade pasta and local seafood preparations.

The nearby city of Pescara provides an even larger choice of restaurants, cafés, bars and contemporary dining venues for visitors staying outside Francavilla.

Accessibility

The principal festival venue, Palazzo Sirena, is a modern cultural facility with an auditorium designed for public events. The venue’s official festival page highlights its renovated auditorium and seating capacity.

Accessibility arrangements for individual activities can depend on the specific space being used. Visitors requiring step-free access, accessible seating or other assistance should contact the festival organizers before attending.

Because the 2027 programme and venue arrangements have not yet been finalized, visitors with specific accessibility requirements should confirm details once the programme is published.

Best screenings to attend

The festival offers several different ways to experience independent cinema.

• International Short Competition: For international emerging filmmakers and contemporary short cinema
• Italian Short Competition: For new Italian filmmaking voices
• Documentary Competition: For nonfiction stories and real-world subjects
• Animation Competition: For animated storytelling and visual experimentation
• School Shorts: For student and young filmmaker productions
• Debut Feature Films: For first feature-length productions
• Out-of-competition screenings: For additional contemporary cinema
• Pitch Contest: For visitors interested in developing new film projects
• Awards Ceremony: For the presentation of the festival’s principal recognitions

Previous year’s highlights

The most recent edition expanded the festival’s international and professional programme, with competition works representing filmmakers from numerous countries and a programme combining shorts, features, documentaries, meetings and special events.

The festival jury included Michele D’Attanasio, Cristiano Di Felice, Marta Perego, Cristian D’Aloia, Luca Verdone, Lucrezia Guidone and president Mark Foligno.

Among the principal recognitions were Best Italian Short Film for Astronauta by Giorgio Giampà, Best International Short for A Sisyphean Task by Gus Flind-Henry and George Malcher, Best Animation for The Bears’ River by Anaïs Mauzat and Best Documentary for Hey, Czechs! by David Van.

Other awards included Best Director for Diletta Di Nicolantonio for Ciao, Varsavia, Best Debut Feature for Stefano Lorenzi’s Afrodite, Best School Short for Il mio amico Karl and the Audience Award for Transumanza by Simone Polito.

Official tickets & accreditation

Official 2027 public ticket information has not yet been announced. Based on recent editions, festival screenings have been offered with free public admission, while filmmaker submissions are handled separately through the festival’s competition system.

Filmmakers can monitor the official Adriatic Film Festival website for the next competition call, submission requirements and updated fees.

Professional participants, filmmakers, guests and industry representatives should use the festival’s official contact channels for accreditation and participation information as the 2027 programme develops.

Location

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