Sedicicorto International Film Festival 2027 – Forlì, Italy

À quoi s'attendre

Sedicicorto International Film Festival, often stylised as 16corto, is one of the most important and long-running competitive short film festivals in Italy. The festival was founded by Gianluca Castellini with the aim to launch the first short film festival of the Romagna subregion, and the name itself is a pun on the Italian expression se dici corto, meaning if you say short film, what comes to mind. What started as a four-day national event has grown into a nine-day international showcase that receives over four thousand to five thousand submissions every year, making it the Italian short film festival with the largest number of entries in recent editions.

The festival is organized by Associazione Sedicicorto and is hosted in the theatres of the old town of Forlì in Emilia-Romagna. It is known for its quality programming and for the friendly welcome offered to all guests and professionals attending the event. The mission is to offer visibility to young authors and to create an opportunity for meeting and exchange among film industry professionals. The programme combines competitions with filmmaker meetings, thematic screenings, workshops, and film education activities that run throughout the year, not just during the festival week.

Expect a dense, curated experience built around distinct competitions that cover every form of short cinema. You will watch international fiction and documentary in Movie, animation and experimental work in Animalab, Italian films in Cortitalia, regional productions in Cortinloco, animation for children in Animare, ultra-short films in Menod5, student films in Student, and more recently documentary forms in Documè. Alongside the official selection of about two hundred titles chosen from thousands of submissions, the festival screens films out of competition, hosts an Iran short film festival organized together with Sedicicorto, and presents special sections, retrospectives, and live performances. All screenings are held in intimate historic theatres where directors are present in the hall and dialogue with the audience is encouraged.

Dates des festivals

Festival Name: Sedicicorto International Film Festival

Édition : 2027

Festival Period: Octobre 2027 (Dates à confirmer)

Host City: Forlì, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Organisateur : Associazione Sedicicorto

Adresse électronique de contact : info@sedicicorto.it

Site web officiel : https://sedicicorto.it/en/homepage-eng/

All competitive screenings, special events, award ceremonies, and educational activities are concentrated within the festival period. Selected films are announced on the official website in early September and the full programme is published a few days later. The festival also organizes screenings, workshops, and film education initiatives throughout the rest of the year.

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Lieux et lieux de festival

Sala San Luigi: The historic main screening room in the old town of Forlì. This venue hosts the majority of competition screenings, including Movie, Cortitalia, and Student sections, as well as morning programmes and filmmaker Q&A sessions. It is a central meeting point for audiences and accredited guests.

Fabbrica delle Candele: The second main hub, a converted industrial space dedicated to creativity and live performance. It hosts Animalab animation and experimental screenings, Animare for children, Menod5 ultra-short programmes, special exhibitions, workshops, and late-night events. Its flexible layout allows for both traditional screenings and immersive installations.

Old Town Theatres Circuit: Additional historic theatres and cultural spaces in the old town of Forlì are used for thematic sections, out-of-competition screenings, and side events. All venues are within walking distance of each other, creating a compact festival village that can be navigated on foot.

Aperitivo Corto Venues: Partner bars and cultural spaces in Forlì and in nearby Rimini host the regular Aperitivo Corto format, which combines a curated short film screening on the big screen with an aperitif and, where possible, a conversation with guest directors. This format accompanies the film season throughout the year.

Associazione Sedicicorto Office: Located at Via P. Mostarda 8, Forlì, this is the organizational headquarters and contact point for submissions and accreditation.

Programme complet

The full programme is structured around seven competitive sections plus thematic and educational strands. Movie is the international competition for fiction and documentary short films, open to all genres and formats with a maximum duration of thirty five minutes including credits, and up to forty minutes according to some category descriptions. Animalab is dedicated to international animation and experimental films, a laboratory for visual innovation and poetic experimentation. Cortitalia showcases Italian films of any genre, providing a snapshot of new Italian short cinema. Animare focuses on international animation for children, with films suitable for young audiences and for family viewing. Menod5 is devoted to films of up to five minutes, national and international, where conciseness and impact are central. Cortinloco is reserved for regional productions from Emilia-Romagna, highlighting local authors and stories. Student features films made by film schools and universities, offering visibility to emerging talents.

In addition to these competitions, the programme includes Documè, the documentary section introduced in recent editions that explores contemporary reality through short documentary forms, and IranFest, the Iran short film festival organized annually together with Sedicicorto, which presents a selection of Iranian short films. Out-of-competition sections include Experia for experimental work, Silver Frame Film Residency and Green Selection for documentary shorts engaging with memory and resilience, and thematic programmes curated with partners.

The programme also includes filmmaker meetings, masterclasses, workshops on filmmaking and animation, film education activities for schools, live performances, and the Lumìnor winners screening that closes the festival with a showcase of awarded films.

Films en vedette & premières

Featured films are selected from more than four thousand submissions received each year from dozens of countries, with recent official selections including two hundred and twelve selections from forty six countries. The selection privileges short films produced after January first of the previous year, with a maximum duration of thirty five to forty minutes including credits, that have not been previously selected as finalists in earlier editions.

Expect a lineup that includes international festival hits, European premieres, and Italian previews. The Movie competition typically features strong fiction and documentary works that have traveled through major short film circuits, including award winners such as The Present by Farah Nabulsi, Curfew by Shawn Christensen, and Deer Boy by Katarzyna Gondek. The Animalab competition showcases cutting-edge animation and experimental shorts, including award-winning works like Simulacra, which received Best Animated Film and screened in competition.

Cortitalia presents the best of new Italian short cinema, from emerging directors to established authors, while Cortinloco offers regional stories with strong local identity. Animare brings international animation for children, often including films previously screened at Cinekid in the Netherlands, Korea Independent Animation Film Festival, Zlin Film Festival, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, and Supertoon International Animation Festival. Menod5 challenges filmmakers to tell a complete story in under five minutes, while Student showcases graduation films from European film schools.

Documentary premieres in Documè include works such as So, There Is No Movie by Milica Radovanović and Waste and Silence by Esmin Sabljić, which engage with significant realities in contemporary international cinema.

Réalisateurs, acteurs et invités

Sedicicorto is known for its direct relationship between filmmakers and audiences. Directors of selected films are invited to present their work in person and participate in Q&A sessions after each screening block. Over the years, the festival has hosted directors from more than fifty countries, including award-winning authors from Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Russia, United States, Brazil, Colombia, Poland, Palestine, and Iran.

Guests include fiction directors, documentary makers, animators, experimental filmmakers, and student filmmakers. The festival also welcomes members of juries from artistic and academic fields, whose decisions are final and who award prizes including Lumìnor trophies, audience awards, and special mentions. The friendly welcome offered to all guests and professionals is frequently cited as a defining characteristic, with accommodation and meal vouchers provided for one representative of each finalist film.

Special guests include curators of the IranFest section, representatives from partner festivals, and professionals from the film industry who participate in workshops and networking events. The Aperitivo Corto format regularly features guest directors who provide deeper insight into featured works in an informal setting.

Calendrier des projections

The screening schedule is organized to allow audiences to follow multiple competitions across the day without major overlaps. Morning slots at Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele are dedicated to Student screenings, Animare for children and families, and repeat programmes for schools. These sessions often include introductions by filmmakers and educators.

Afternoon slots feature Movie and Cortitalia competition blocks, Animalab animation and experimental programmes, and Menod5 ultra-short collections. Each block typically includes six to eight short films followed by a Q&A with attending directors. Documè documentary programmes and thematic sections such as Silver Frame Film Residency are scheduled in the late afternoon.

Evening slots are the main competitive screenings, with Movie international fiction, Cortitalia Italian showcase, and special event screenings. The Aperitivo Corto evening format combines a curated short film programme with a social gathering and aperitif prior to the screening. Late evening slots at Fabbrica delle Candele host experimental and late-night programmes.

The full daily schedule with exact times, venues, film titles, directors, durations, and guest presence is published in the official programme and on the website in early September. Selected films receive festival screenings and are announced on the official website.

Types de billets et accréditations

Sedicicorto maintains an accessible ticketing policy with many free or low-cost events, based on pricing from previous editions converted to USD.

Billet pour une seule séance : USD 6.50. Valid for one competition block at Sala San Luigi or Fabbrica delle Candele, including Movie, Animalab, Cortitalia, or Animare.

Pass journalier : USD 17.50. Access to all screenings and events on a single day across all venues, including competitions, out-of-competition programmes, and Aperitivo Corto screenings.

Pass Festival Complet : USD 38. Full access to the entire nine-day programme including all competitive sections, special events, workshops, and Lumìnor winners screening.

Reduced Pass – Students and Under 26: USD 11. Available for students, young audiences under twenty six, and residents with valid ID.

Aperitivo Corto Ticket: USD 8.50. Includes aperitif and short film screening in partner venues, based on previous Aperitivo Corto pricing.

Entrée libre: Many workshops, film education activities, masterclasses, and some thematic screenings are offered with free admission, reflecting the festival’s commitment to accessibility and cultural outreach.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office at Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele during the festival and via the official website. The festival also offers festival vouchers and special packages for groups and schools.

Industrie et accès professionnel

Sedicicorto is recognized as a professional hub for short film in Italy and offers several forms of industry access designed to support meeting and exchange among film industry professionals.

Accréditation par l'industrie : USD 27. For directors, producers, distributors, festival programmers, film school representatives, and media professionals. It includes access to all competitive screenings subject to seat availability, industry panels, networking events, video library, and catalogue. Based on previous professional rates.

Accréditation presse : Gratuit sur approbation. Réservé aux journalistes, critiques, photographes et professionnels des médias. Carte de presse et lettre de mission requises. Accès prioritaire, conférences de presse et dossiers de presse inclus.

Student and Film School Accreditation: USD 16. For students and teachers of film schools and universities participating in Student competition and educational workshops. Includes access to dedicated screenings and workshops.

Filmmaker Hospitality: Accommodation and meal vouchers are provided on conditions determined by the organizer, normally for one representative of each finalist film, with exceptions at its discretion. At least one film representative must attend the award ceremony for the cash prize to be validated.

Submission fees for filmmakers are separate from accreditation and are paid via FilmFreeway or PayPal to info@sedicicorto.it. Standard fees are USD 10 per film for Movie, Animalab, Cortitalia, Animare, and Menod5, and USD 9 for Student, with reduced Gold member rates of USD 8 and USD 7 respectively. Direct registration via the festival website has historically been EUR 8, converted to approximately USD 8.70.

Tapis rouge & événements spéciaux

While Sedicicorto focuses on short cinema and maintains an informal atmosphere, red carpet moments and special events punctuate the programme. The opening ceremony at Sala San Luigi includes institutional greetings from Associazione Sedicicorto, Municipality of Forlì, and regional partners, followed by the first competition screenings and filmmaker introductions.

The awards ceremony is the main formal event, where Lumìnor trophies and cash prizes of USD 325 per competitive section are awarded for best film in each of Movie, Animalab, Cortitalia, Animare, Menod5, Cortinloco, and Student. Special mentions, Movie audience award, Apollo best-film award, Best Comedy, FEDIC award, career award, and special awards such as CIN.ER, Generazione G, Un quadro per la pace, ER Valore, and ER Futuro are also presented. Payment is made in cash or by bank transfer within sixty days after the festival, following receipt of banking details.

Special events include the IranFest showcase, Documè documentary focus, Green Selection environmental programme, Silver Frame Film Residency screenings, and Aperitivo Corto evenings that combine screening and social gathering. The festival also hosts masterclasses, film education labs, and live performances at Fabbrica delle Candele.

The Lumìnor winners screening closes the festival with a showcase of awarded films, providing a final opportunity to see the best of the edition.

Règles du festival

The official rules are published on FilmFreeway and on the festival website, with the Italian version prevailing over the English version in interpretation disputes. Eligibility requires films produced after January first of the previous year and a maximum duration of thirty five minutes including credits, with some category descriptions stating forty minutes, so filmmakers should check the specific section requirements.

Each author may submit a maximum of two short films per competition. Films must not have been selected as finalists or semifinalists in previous editions of Sedicicorto competitions, and industrial or commercial films are not accepted. Digital files, preferably MP4, may be sent through file-transfer services to mail@sedicicorto.it after online submission.

The selection committee can change the requested section and place a film in a competitive or non-competitive programme. The organizer does not undertake copyright protection for submitted works, and entrants must disclose registration with SIAE or similar authors’ society. A jury from artistic and academic fields decides the prizes, and its decisions are final.

Participation authorizes processing of personal data under Italian law and authorizes archiving and cultural, non-commercial screenings, events, and broadcasts organized by Associazione Sedicicorto, including with partner festivals, unless an objection is expressed in the entry form. Participation implies acceptance of the terms. The organizer may cancel or modify the event.

Comment y arriver

Forlì is located in Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, well connected by air, train, and road. The nearest airports are Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which offers the most international connections, and Rimini Federico Fellini Airport, which serves low-cost carriers. From Bologna Airport, a shuttle bus connects to Bologna Centrale station, from where frequent regional and high-speed trains run to Forlì. Travel time from Bologna to Forlì by train is about one hour.

By train, Forlì is on the Bologna–Ancona Adriatic line with frequent services connecting Bologna, Rimini, Cesena, and Ancona. The train station is located a short distance from the old town, with local buses and taxis available to reach Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele.

By car, Forlì is reachable via the A14 Autostrada Adriatica with exits at Forlì and Forlì–Cesena. The historic center has limited traffic zones, so it is advisable to use parking facilities outside the old town and continue on foot or by public transport.

By bus, long-distance coaches connect Forlì with major Italian cities including Milan, Florence, Rome, and Venice. The main bus terminal is near the train station.

Transports en commun et stationnement

Forlì has an efficient urban bus network that connects the train station, historic center, and suburbs. Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele are located in the old town and are easily reachable on foot from each other and from the main squares. Local buses run frequently during the day and early evening, with reduced service late at night.

For those arriving by car, parking near the old town is available in several public parking areas, including large lots near the train station and along the ring road. The historic center has restricted traffic zones that require permits, so it is advisable not to attempt to drive directly to the venues. During festival hours, walking is the most convenient option, as all venues are within a compact area.

Bike sharing and bike rental services are available and are convenient for moving between venues, as Forlì is a flat, bike-friendly city. Taxis are available at the train station and can be booked for transfers between venues and for late-night returns.

The festival provides detailed transport information in the official programme and on the website, including maps of venues and recommended walking routes between Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele.

Zones d’hébergement

The best areas to stay for the festival are all within walking distance of the main venues in the old town. The Historic Center around Piazza Aurelio Saffi, Corso della Repubblica, and Via delle Torri is the most convenient, with hotels, bed and breakfasts, and apartments located a short walk from Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele. This area offers easy access to restaurants, bars, and cultural sites.

The Station area near Forlì train station offers more affordable hotels and easy connections to public transport, suitable for visitors arriving by train. The University area and Viale della Libertà district offer additional options with easy bus access to the center.

For budget travelers, hostels and guesthouses are available, while for higher comfort, three and four-star hotels near the historic center provide premium options. Early booking is recommended because the festival attracts many filmmakers and professionals and Forlì is a popular destination in Emilia-Romagna.

For longer stays, agriturismi in the countryside around Forlì offer a quiet alternative with easy driving access to the city. Partner accommodations often offer special rates for festival participants, with information published on the official website.

Restauration et restauration

Forlì and Romagna offer a rich culinary tradition that combines Emilia and Romagna specialties, making dining an integral part of the festival experience. Near Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele, you will find trattorias and osterias offering local dishes such as cappelletti, piadina, passatelli, and fresh pasta with ragù.

In the historic center, particularly around Piazza Saffi, Corso Garibaldi, and Via Regnoli, there are numerous restaurants, wine bars, pizzerias, and cafés that stay open late during festival evenings. The Aperitivo Corto format includes aperitifs that combine screening and social gathering, often featuring local wines such as Sangiovese and Albana and local products.

For quick meals, bakeries, panini shops, and street food outlets offer piadina, crescioni, and other Romagna specialties. Supermarkets and local markets, such as the market in Piazza Cavour, offer fresh produce and take-away options.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are increasingly available in many restaurants, and it is advisable to inform the restaurant in advance. Reservations are recommended during festival evenings, especially for restaurants near the main venues.

Accessibilité

The main festival venues at Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele are accessible with step-free access to screening halls, accessible restrooms, and reserved spaces for wheelchair users. Both venues are located in the old town with flat or gently sloped access routes.

Public buses in Forlì are equipped with low floors and ramps, and the routes connecting the train station to the historic center are accessible. Accessible taxis can be booked in advance.

The festival provides subtitles in Italian and English for most international short films, and Q&A sessions are held in Italian and English. For specific accessibility needs, including reserved seating, hearing assistance, or support for visual impairments, it is advisable to contact info@sedicicorto.it in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Guide dogs are allowed in all venues. The festival works with the Municipality of Forlì to improve accessibility each year.

Meilleures projections à laquelle assister

If you are attending for the first time, there are certain screenings that best represent the spirit of Sedicicorto and should not be missed. The Movie international competition final blocks are essential, featuring the best international fiction and documentary shorts selected from thousands of submissions, often including festival hits and award winners.

The Cortitalia showcase is ideal for discovering new Italian short cinema and meeting Italian directors, while Animalab offers cutting-edge animation and experimental works that push the boundaries of visual language. Animare is perfect for families and animation lovers, with international animation for children that has traveled through major animation festivals.

Menod5 ultra-short programme challenges filmmakers to tell a complete story in under five minutes and is often surprising and entertaining. The Documè documentary focus provides a deeper look at contemporary reality through short documentary forms, and the IranFest section offers a rare window into Iranian short cinema.

Finally, the Lumìnor winners screening on the closing day is a must, showcasing all awarded films in a single programme and providing a comprehensive overview of the edition’s best works.

Faits marquants de l’année précédente

The previous edition confirmed Sedicicorto’s reputation as the Italian short film festival with the largest number of submissions, with over five thousand films received and around two hundred titles selected for the official programme. The nine-day festival presented awards for five main sections including foreign films, Italian films, experimental animated films, children’s films, and films under two minutes, alongside numerous special awards and mentions.

Highlights included the IranFest collaboration, which continues to be organized annually together with Sedicicorto, the Green Selection environmental programme, and the Silver Frame Film Residency screenings that engaged with memory and resilience. The Animalab competition awarded Best Animated Film to works that later traveled internationally, while the Movie competition featured award-winning international fiction.

The Aperitivo Corto format continued as a regular fixture, accompanying the film season with curated short film projections combined with social gatherings. Educational activities, workshops, and film education initiatives ran throughout the year, reinforcing the association’s commitment to cultural outreach beyond the festival week. The friendly welcome offered to all guests and professionals remained a defining characteristic.

Billets officiels et accréditation

Official tickets, passes, and accreditations for Sedicicorto International Film Festival are available exclusively through official channels to ensure valid entry and to support the festival directly.

Site web officiel : https://sedicicorto.it/en/homepage-eng/

Courriel d'information : info@sedicicorto.it

Submission and Film Files Email: mail@sedicicorto.it

Adresse du festival : Via P. Mostarda 8, 47122 Forlì, Italy

Lieux principaux : Sala San Luigi and Fabbrica delle Candele, Old Town, Forlì

Prix en dollars américains convertis à partir des éditions précédentes :

Billet pour une seule séance : USD 6.50

Pass journalier : USD 17.50

Pass Festival Complet : USD 38

Reduced Pass for Students and Under 26: 11 USD

Aperitivo Corto Ticket: USD 8.50

Accréditation par l'industrie : USD 27

Student and Film School Accreditation: 16 USD

Accréditation presse : Gratuit sur approbation

Submission Fees: USD 10 standard and USD 8 Gold for Movie, Animalab, Cortitalia, Animare, Menod5, and USD 9 standard and USD 7 Gold for Student

Many workshops and educational events are free admission. The complete programme with tickets and accreditation information can be downloaded from the official website. Avoid unofficial resellers and purchase only through official channels.

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