Lucania Film Festival 2027 is expected to continue the festival’s long-running focus on independent international cinema, short films, documentaries, animation and Italian productions in Pisticci, Basilicata. The festival combines film screenings with masterclasses, cinema talks, cultural projects, professional meetings, live performances and activities connecting cinema with the local territory. The festival describes Pisticci as a “City of Short Film” and has developed its programme around the historic town, surrounding landscapes and wider Basilicata film locations.
The programme traditionally extends beyond conventional cinema screenings. Recent editions have included competitive sections, Spazio Italia, feature documentaries, animation, special screenings, children’s cinema, book presentations, music, theatre and performance, cinema walks, professional meetings and film-literacy activities.
The festival also uses cinema as a way to explore Basilicata. Activities can take audiences beyond the main screening spaces into historic neighbourhoods, archaeological locations, coastal areas and film locations around Pisticci, Craco and other parts of the region.
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The 2027 edition is expected to maintain this multidisciplinary approach, although the official film selection, special projects and guest programme will be announced separately.
Festival period: August 2027 (Dates TBD)
The exact 2027 festival dates have not yet been announced. Visitors should check the official Lucania Film Festival website for the confirmed programme and venue schedule before arranging travel.
The festival traditionally concentrates its principal activities in and around Pisticci, with additional events and cinema-related experiences extending into other locations in Basilicata.
Pisticci is the principal festival location and is situated in the Province of Matera in Basilicata. The official festival location information identifies Piazza Umberto I as a central reference point and describes Pisticci as a white hill town surrounded by the Ionian coast, green plains and the distinctive clay landscapes of the Lucanian calanchi.
Recent festival venues and locations have included:
The exact 2027 venue allocation will depend on the official programme.
The 2027 programme is expected to include several strands of film, culture and professional activity.
Competitive cinema: International and Italian films compete across categories including short fiction, animation, documentary and feature-length works.
Spazio Italia: A dedicated section presents Italian productions and provides a platform for Italian filmmakers.
Feature films: Recent programmes have included feature fiction, animation and documentary works alongside short-film competitions.
Special screenings: Extra films, secret programmes, retrospectives and special presentations form part of the festival’s wider cinema programme.
Masterclasses: Directors, actors, writers and other film professionals can lead educational sessions for audiences and emerging filmmakers.
Cinema talks: Screenings can be accompanied by conversations with directors, actors, critics, writers and cultural specialists.
Lucania Book Festival: Literary presentations and author meetings have been incorporated into the wider cultural programme.
CinePasseggiate: These cinema walks connect films and film culture with Basilicata’s villages, landscapes and historic locations.
Kids and family cinema: The Piccolissima LFF programme introduces younger audiences to cinema through dedicated screenings and workshops.
Professional meetings: Cinema & Market activities connect filmmakers, producers, distributors, film commissions and festival professionals.
Music and live performance: Recent editions have incorporated concerts, DJ sets, live performances and multimedia events alongside film screenings.
The 2027 official selection has not yet been published. Based on the festival’s established programme, visitors can expect a combination of international short films, documentaries, animation, feature films and Italian productions.
Recent competitive categories have included:
The latest selection demonstrates the international scope of the festival. Recent films have come from countries including Italy, Germany, Belgium, Romania, Taiwan, Spain, Iran, China, France, Russia, Argentina, the United States and other territories.
Special screenings can also sit outside the main competition. Recent programming has included films such as “Fuori” by Mario Martone, “Luce” by Luca Bellino and Silvia Luzi, and other feature and documentary presentations accompanied by conversations with filmmakers and actors.
The 2027 programme should be consulted for confirmed premieres, competition titles and special film presentations.
The 2027 guest list has not yet been announced. The festival has a history of inviting Italian and international directors, actors, writers, critics, producers and cinema professionals.
Previous programmes have featured figures such as Matteo Garrone, Valerio Mastandrea, Rocco Papaleo, Marco D’Amore, Corrado Fortuna and Marianna Fontana, with guests appearing through masterclasses, lectio magistralis, audience conversations and special film presentations.
Recent professional activities have also brought international cinema figures to Pisticci. The festival’s cinema-market programme has included filmmakers, producers, distributors and representatives from international film institutions and film commissions.
For 2027, the confirmed directors, actors, jury members and special guests should be added after the festival publishes its official announcements.
The detailed 2027 screening timetable is not yet available. Based on recent programmes, screenings are normally distributed across several locations and time periods rather than being confined to one cinema.
The programme can include:
Recent schedules have placed several competition blocks in the Sala Piccola while larger productions and special films have been presented in Sala Grande. Other spaces have hosted live podcasts, audio storytelling and multidisciplinary activities.
The 2027 timetable should be checked carefully because different venues may operate simultaneously.
General festival admission: $0 based on the latest published programme.
The festival has stated in its published programme materials that festival activities are generally free of charge. Some individual events can require advance reservation or have separate arrangements because of limited capacity.
Competition screenings: $0 based on the latest published programme.
Public talks and cultural activities: $0 based on recent festival programming.
Masterclasses: $0 for the publicly offered masterclass activities described in recent programmes, although registration may be required.
Special events: Pricing or reservation requirements can vary. Where a special activity is not covered by the general free programme, the festival publishes its individual conditions.
Popular Jury activities: The latest programme refers to a small participation fee for the CinePasseggiate-based Popular Jury pathway. The 2027 amount has not been announced, so no 2027 fee should be assumed.
Lucania Film Festival has an established professional component connecting independent cinema with producers, distributors, film commissions, festival directors and other industry participants.
Recent Cinema & Market activities have brought together international film professionals and Italian audiovisual operators. One recent programme focused on Algeria and the Philippines, with festival directors, filmmakers, producers, distributors and film-commission representatives discussing audiovisual markets, international cooperation and co-production opportunities.
Professional activities can include:
The festival is also connected with CineParco TILT and wider audiovisual initiatives in Basilicata, giving professional visitors an opportunity to learn more about regional film production and locations.
Lucania Film Festival combines film screenings with ceremonies, guest appearances, talks, music and special cultural events.
Recent programmes have featured special screenings accompanied by directors or actors, including discussions around “Luce” with directors Luca Bellino and Silvia Luzi and actress Marianna Fontana. Other programmes have included a Matteo Garrone masterclass and lectio magistralis, as well as live performances and music after the cinema programme.
Special events can include:
The exact 2027 special-event programme will be announced by the festival.
Film access: Visitors should follow the access instructions attached to each screening or activity.
Reservations: Some activities may require advance booking, particularly events with limited seating or special guest sessions.
Accreditation: Professional, press, jury and special programme access may require registration or approval.
Règles du lieu : Visitors should follow instructions from festival staff regarding seating, entry, photography, recording and movement between screening areas.
Programme changes: Screening times, venues and film availability may change because of organisational or technical requirements.
Film submissions: Filmmakers must follow the official competition regulations and submission requirements published by the festival. The latest regulations include different competitive sections and require detailed film information such as title, director, country, year, duration, language and production details.
Pisticci is in the Province of Matera in Basilicata and can be reached by road, rail connections and regional bus services.
Par avion : Bari Airport is one of the main practical airport options for reaching Pisticci. Brindisi Airport is another option for travellers arriving from other parts of Italy or Europe. Local tourism information identifies Bari and Brindisi among the closest major airports serving the area.
En voiture : From northern Italy, travellers can approach through the A14 motorway toward the Taranto area and continue toward the Ionian coast. From the west and northwest, routes through Potenza and the SS407 Basentana provide access toward Pisticci and the surrounding area.
Par train : Pisticci is served by the regional railway network, with Pisticci railway station providing connections along the route between Potenza and the Ionian side of Basilicata.
Public transport can be useful for visitors travelling between Pisticci, Pisticci Scalo, Marconia, the coast and other parts of Basilicata.
The Pisticci railway station is located outside the hilltop historic centre, so visitors arriving by train should allow time for the onward connection into the town or festival venue. Current rail information also indicates that the station does not provide dedicated assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, making advance planning particularly important for accessibility needs.
Regional bus services connect Pisticci with surrounding communities and larger transport hubs. Seasonal services can also operate toward Marina di Pisticci and the Ionian coast.
Stationnement : Visitors travelling by car should plan parking before evening events. The historic centre has narrower streets and restricted areas, so designated parking areas and local traffic instructions should be followed.
Pisticci historic centre: The most convenient option for visitors who want to stay close to the main festival atmosphere, historic venues and evening activities.
Marconia: A practical alternative with easier road access and proximity to CineParco TILT.
Pisticci Scalo: Useful for visitors prioritising access to the railway station and onward regional transport.
Marina di Pisticci: Suitable for travellers who want to combine the festival with a seaside stay along the Ionian coast.
Matera: A popular wider-area base for visitors combining the festival with the UNESCO-listed city and other Basilicata attractions.
Local tourism information lists accommodation in Pisticci itself as well as options around the coast, including holiday homes, B&Bs, farm stays and resorts.
The festival incorporates food into its programme, with recent editions featuring a dedicated festival food area where chefs presented Lucanian cuisine and street-food specialities. The latest programme included a festival restaurant and the “Basileccata” concept, described as a Lucanian street-food cone.
Visitors can also explore Pisticci’s local restaurants, cafés, bakeries, bars and traditional food businesses.
Regional dishes and ingredients to look for include:
Pisticci is closely associated with Amaro Lucano, whose origins are connected with the town and its historic production tradition.
Accessibility varies according to the individual festival location because Lucania Film Festival uses historic buildings, outdoor spaces, public squares, cinema venues and temporary installations.
The festival has also developed projects specifically addressing accessible cinema. Its Cinema ad Alta Voce initiative has presented cinema with audio description, subtitles and multisensory elements for blind, visually impaired and sighted audiences.
For the main 2027 programme, visitors requiring step-free access, accessible seating, assistance or other accommodations should contact the organisers before attending.
The Pisticci railway station currently does not have dedicated assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, according to RFI information, so travellers arriving by rail should arrange their onward journey in advance.
The 2027 film selection has not yet been announced, so individual titles cannot be confirmed. Visitors can nevertheless plan around the festival’s established programme categories.
International competition: Competition blocks provide an overview of new independent films from different countries and filmmaking traditions.
Spazio Italia: This section focuses on Italian productions and can be useful for visitors interested in contemporary Italian independent cinema.
Feature documentaries: Recent editions have included full-length documentaries dealing with social, cultural, political and environmental subjects.
Animation: The dedicated animation competition offers an alternative to the live-action programme, including international short-form work.
Special screenings: Films accompanied by directors, actors or other members of the creative team can provide additional discussion and context.
Secret programme: The festival has used a Secret Program format to present films without revealing the complete selection beforehand. Recent editions included feature-length international works under this concept.
Outdoor and evening screenings: These combine cinema with the atmosphere of Pisticci’s historic spaces and are an important part of the festival experience.
The latest edition featured a broad international competition covering short fiction, animation, documentary, feature documentary and feature fiction or animation.
Among the films recognised by the International Jury were “Narmook” by Ghazal Zoghiniya in the Short Fiction section, “Like friend, like deer” by Malek Eghbali in Short Animation, “Safoora” by Parviz Rostami in Short Documentary, “Green Desert” by Meliza Luna Venegas in Feature Documentary and “Spacetime chronicles” by Stefano Bertelli in Feature Fiction and Animation.
The Popular Jury also recognised films including “Last Shot”, “Rukeli”, “Everyday in Gaza” and “Il nemico” across its competition sections. The festival additionally presented special recognitions under the Allelammie Special Mention and Secret Program awards.
The programme extended beyond competitive cinema. It included children’s activities, a photo exhibition dedicated to Lina Wertmüller, Cinema Talks, a festival kitchen, professional Cinema & Market meetings, live music, book presentations, audio storytelling, location-based cinema activities and special screenings.
The festival also expanded beyond Pisticci through activities associated with Craco, Bernalda and other Basilicata locations, reinforcing its connection between cinema, territory and cultural tourism.
General admission: $0 based on the latest published festival programme, which states that festival activities are free of charge. Some individual events can require advance reservation or have separate access arrangements.
Special activities: Where a specific activity has limited capacity or a separate participation requirement, the festival publishes the relevant booking instructions through its official website.
Popular Jury: The latest CinePasseggiate programme refers to a small participation fee for joining the Popular Jury pathway, but the 2027 amount has not been announced.
Film submissions: Filmmakers should use the official competition regulations and submission system when the 2027 call opens.
Site officiel : https://www.lucaniafilmfestival.it/
Telephone: +39 0835 409510
Courriel : allelammie1997@gmail.com
Founded in 1999, the festival is the oldest international film event in Basilicata dedicated to independent cinema. It has grown into a vital cultural landmark connecting global creators with southern Italian heritage.
Screenings are hosted outdoors at the CineParco TILT venue located in Marconia di Pisticci. This atmospheric setting allows audiences to enjoy films under the summer night sky surrounded by nature.
Filmmakers can submit their feature films, shorts, and documentaries online through official festival channels and platforms like FilmFreeway. Submissions must adhere to published category guidelines, format requirements, and seasonal deadlines.
All non-Italian language films selected for competition or special showcases are presented with clear English subtitles. Panel discussions and masterclasses also feature multilingual support to accommodate international visitors.
Most open-air evening screenings and public cultural events are fully accessible and welcoming to audiences of all ages. Visitors are encouraged to check the official program schedule online for specific venue details and seating guidance.
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