SorsiCorti International Short Film Festival 2026, Palermo, Italy

What to expect in 2026

SorsiCorti International Short Film Festival returns to Palermo for its 20th edition, continuing its focus on independent short filmmaking from Italy and around the world. The festival brings together emerging filmmakers, international productions and contemporary audiovisual works in a programme centered on short cinema.

The 2026 edition is planned for November 2026, with the exact festival dates yet to be announced. The programme is expected to combine competitive screenings with cultural activities, filmmaker encounters and events connected with Palermo’s independent creative scene.

The festival competition focuses on four main areas: fiction, documentary, animation and video art. Eligible works can come from filmmakers internationally, giving audiences the opportunity to discover different storytelling approaches and contemporary short-film styles.

Festival dates

SorsiCorti International Short Film Festival 2026 is planned for November 2026. The exact dates have not yet been announced by the festival.

The festival normally runs as a multi-day cultural event, allowing audiences to attend several screening sessions and related activities throughout the programme.

Visitors should check the official SorsiCorti announcements for the final festival calendar and individual screening times once they are released.

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Venues & festival locations

SorsiCorti is associated with Palermo’s independent cultural and theatrical scene and has used different venues for screenings and festival activities.

Recent festival locations have included:

• Cre.Zi. Plus at Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa
• Cinema Rouge et Noir
• Piccolo Teatro Patafisico
• Other cultural and independent spaces in Palermo

The final 2026 venue list will be confirmed with the official programme. Because events may take place at different locations, visitors should check the individual venue for each screening or special event.

Full programme

The SorsiCorti programme is centered on international short films and independent audiovisual production. The competition is divided into several artistic categories.

• Fiction short films
• Documentary short films
• Animated short films
• Video art
• Special screenings
• Out-of-competition films
• Filmmaker meetings
• Cultural events
• Workshops and educational activities
• Wine-related festival events
• Closing and award activities

The festival also has a tradition of connecting cinema with convivial cultural experiences, including events involving Sicilian wine and local creative communities.

Featured films & premieres

The 2026 official selection brings together short films from different countries and filmmaking traditions. Works are presented across fiction, documentary, animation and video art.

The selection is designed to highlight independent filmmakers and original approaches to short-form storytelling. International productions sit alongside Italian works, giving audiences a varied programme covering different subjects, genres and visual styles.

Premiere status for individual films should be checked against the official programme. A film’s inclusion in the SorsiCorti selection does not automatically mean that it is receiving its Italian, European or world premiere at the festival.

Directors, actors & guests

SorsiCorti places strong emphasis on the filmmakers behind the selected short films. Directors and creative teams from Italy and other countries are represented throughout the international competition.

Festival activities can include meetings and discussions involving filmmakers, artists and other cinema professionals. These events give audiences an opportunity to learn more about the creative process behind selected works.

The complete 2026 guest programme has not yet been announced, so individual director, actor and special-guest appearances should be confirmed through the official festival programme.

Screening schedule

The detailed 2026 screening schedule has not yet been published. Once released, the programme is expected to organize the selected short films into sessions according to category and venue.

Competition sessions may feature several short films in a single screening block, allowing audiences to experience different genres and filmmaking styles during the same programme.

Visitors should check the official SorsiCorti schedule before attending because screening locations, session times and individual film groupings can vary.

Ticket types & accreditation

The complete 2026 public ticket structure has not yet been announced. Previous editions have included both free festival activities and selected ticketed cinema events.

For reference, previous public admission arrangements included:

• Free festival sessions: $0
• Selected cinema events: approximately $7.02
• Competition activities: Free admission for several sessions
• Professional access: Subject to festival accreditation arrangements

These are previous-edition reference prices and are not confirmed 2026 ticket prices.

Industry & professional access

SorsiCorti provides an environment for independent filmmakers, producers, film students, cultural organizations and cinema enthusiasts to connect around short-form filmmaking.

Professional and cultural activities can include filmmaker meetings, workshops, discussions and presentations linked to the selected films.

The festival’s international competition also provides visibility for emerging filmmakers whose short works may otherwise have limited opportunities for theatrical presentation.

Red carpet & special events

Alongside its film competition, SorsiCorti incorporates cultural activities that give the festival a distinctive Palermo character.

Special programming can include:

• Out-of-competition screenings
• Documentary presentations
• Video-art events
• Filmmaker meetings
• Workshops
• Cultural discussions
• Wine-tasting activities
• Closing celebrations
• Award presentations

The festival’s connection with Sicilian wine is reflected in its name and wider cultural identity, with convivial activities traditionally forming part of the festival experience.

Festival rules

The 2026 competition is open internationally and accepts works in fiction, documentary, animation and video art.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• Maximum film duration of 30 minutes
• Films produced after the specified eligibility threshold
• English subtitles required
• Italian subtitles may also be supplied
• High-resolution film or scene images required
• Director photograph required
• Trailer optional
• Separate submission requirements for each competition category
• Original works only
• Selected filmmakers must provide the required promotional and screening materials

The festival reserves the right to select works for the official programme and to use approved film information and promotional materials for festival communication.

How to get there

Palermo is Sicily’s main cultural and transport centre and is served by Falcone Borsellino Airport, which connects the city with destinations in Italy and internationally.

Palermo Centrale is the city’s principal railway station and provides connections with other Sicilian cities as well as mainland Italy.

Because SorsiCorti can use several venues, visitors should confirm the location of their particular screening before planning their journey.

Public transport & parking

Palermo has an extensive urban transport network serving the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods. Buses and rail services can be useful for reaching festival locations depending on the venue.

Parking conditions vary considerably between central Palermo, Zisa and other festival areas. Visitors travelling by car should allow additional time to find parking and walk to the venue.

For evening screenings, public transport or accommodation within central Palermo can be convenient alternatives to driving.

Accommodation areas

Visitors can choose from hotels, guesthouses, apartments and other accommodation throughout Palermo.

• Historic Centre: Convenient for cultural attractions, restaurants and central venues
• Politeama: Well connected and close to many restaurants and city attractions
• Kalsa: Historic neighbourhood with restaurants, cafés and nightlife
• Zisa: Convenient for activities around Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa
• Mondello: Coastal accommodation for visitors extending their stay beyond the festival

Staying in a central neighbourhood can make it easier to reach different festival venues and explore Palermo between screenings.

Food & dining

Food and wine are an important part of the SorsiCorti atmosphere. The festival has traditionally incorporated wine-related activities alongside its cinema programme.

Visitors can experience Palermo’s Sicilian food culture, including street food, seafood, pasta dishes, pastries and traditional desserts.

The historic centre and surrounding neighbourhoods offer numerous restaurants, cafés, bakeries and bars, making it easy to combine festival screenings with local dining.

Accessibility

Accessibility arrangements may differ between individual SorsiCorti venues because the festival uses several cultural and cinema spaces around Palermo.

Visitors requiring step-free access, accessible seating or other assistance should check the specific venue before attending.

For individual accessibility requirements, contacting the festival organizers in advance is recommended so that suitable arrangements can be confirmed for the selected event location.

Best screenings to attend

The international competition is the central part of SorsiCorti and should be a priority for visitors interested in discovering contemporary short filmmaking.

• International fiction: A broad selection of narrative short films
• Documentary: Real-life stories and contemporary subjects
• Animation: Creative visual storytelling and distinctive animation techniques
• Video art: Experimental audiovisual works
• Special screenings: Additional films outside the main competition
• Closing programme: Winning films and final festival activities

Attending more than one category can provide a better overview of the festival’s international selection and artistic range.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition continued SorsiCorti’s tradition of presenting international short cinema in Palermo, with works from Italy and numerous international filmmaking communities.

The programme featured competition screenings alongside special events, cultural activities and wine-related experiences. The selection demonstrated the festival’s continuing interest in fiction, documentary, animation and experimental audiovisual production.

Previous editions have also included out-of-competition presentations, filmmaker encounters and closing activities focused on the selected and awarded films.

Official tickets & accreditation

Official 2026 information, including the final programme, ticket arrangements and accreditation details, will be published through SorsiCorti’s official channels as the festival approaches.

The previous edition included free festival sessions alongside selected ticketed events, with the previous ticketed reference reaching approximately $7.02.

Filmmakers and cinema professionals should use the official SorsiCorti submission and festival channels for current accreditation requirements rather than relying on previous arrangements.

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