Festival Internazionale del Cinema di Salerno 2026 – Italy

• 23 novembre 2026
  Data dell'evento:
• 28 novembre 2026
  Fine dell'evento:

Cosa aspettarsi

Oldest Festival in Italy: Salerno Film Festival had its first edition in 1946, when it happened to be first festival of so-called movement of reduced step, that lowered all 35 mm movies to 16 mm ones, for easier distribution. In 1945, group of friends united by deep passion founded Cine Club Salerno, non-profit cultural association with ambitious goal to promote culture through power of moving images. Following year in 1946 vision took shape in 1st Mostra Nazionale Del Cinema A Passo Ridotto, pioneering event that growing year after year would eventually become Salerno Film Festival. Festival has been held annually with exception of 1953, 1957, 1959 and 1960 editions.

Competitive Event for World Cinema: Since its inception, Salerno Festival has distinguished itself as competitive event for Italian and international productions, thereby fostering ongoing dialogue on developments in world cinema. Festival attributes important social function to cinema, and its aim is to constantly adapt its approach in line with evolution of technology and new audiovisual media. Festival fulfils its original mission of promoting and fostering film literacy, in keeping with tradition, with particular focus on independent works and technical and artistic innovation. That historical edition was attended among others by Vittorio De Sica, Rossano Brazzi, Adriana Benetti, Maria Mercader and Mariella Lotti.

Innovations for Film Standards: Festival gave useful innovations to cinema industry. Even in cold halls of Salerno hospitals, enterprising founders Ignazio Rossi, Matteo Della Corte, Achille Guglielmi and others, in carrying out medical and surgical professions, did not forget cinema, thus now masters of camera used it as tool to deepen operational techniques, taking advantage of detailed vision of work carried out and thus opening passionate discussions among themselves on how to improve and perfect activity. What was born without intending it will then be exported everywhere: audiovisual training method. Salerno, cradle of Medical School, launched to world new means of theoretical practical didactic study. Cine Club Salerno became point of reference not only for world cinematography but also for decisions of revolutionary nature in technical field that were established in world conferences held in Salerno by photo and cinematographic companies. New film standards were established in Salerno from 8 to Super8, placing on market disposable cameras and many other innovations still used today.

Date del festival

Periodo del festival: November 23-28, 2026, at Cine-Teatro Augusteo, Salerno. The 80th edition of Salerno International Film Festival will take place in city of Salerno. Deadlines include 20 Jul 2026 Call for entries, 30 Sep 2026 Festival closed, 03 Nov 2026 Notification date. On closing night prizes will be awarded to winning films and honours bestowed upon prominent figures in artistic, social and cultural spheres. Awards Ceremony may also be split into two separate evenings one dedicated to Specialised Cinema and another dedicated to feature-length films and various other awards. Both side events and awards ceremony will be streamed on Festival’s social media channels.

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Sedi e sedi del festival

Cine-Teatro Augusteo: Location is at cinema Augusteo located at ground floor of northern Palazzo di Città The Salerno Town Hall. Films will be screened at Cine-Teatro Augusteo with schedule to be determined at discretion of Festival Management subject to date of submission and standard film entry procedures. We’re returning to theater that has been setting for festival for years and has also hosted many editions, says Patron Mario De Cesare. Venue is historic cinema in centre of city completely restored.

Teatro Verdi and Historic Locations: Even sometimes at Salerno’s Teatro Verdi, plus other historic locations such as Cinema Capitol. On that occasion projections were held not only in Salerno but also in Cava de’ Tirreni, Positano and Amalfi for early editions. 76th event held from 28 November to 3 December 2022 at CineTeatro Augusteo and in various locations in Salerno.

Salerno City: Salerno is city in Campania region on Amalfi Coast, with Mayor Vincenzo Naples blessing festival as part of history and experience of city. Venue Sala Pier Paolo Pasolini, Teatro delle Arti Via Pio XI, Convitto Nazionale for Open Forum Cinema and dance.

Office: Registered office at Via Portacatena 51, 84121 Salerno SA, tax code 80046160653, founded by CINECLUB SALERNO, Organising Committee non-profit organisation responsible for staging annual editions.

Programma completo

Competitions for Various Film Sections: In addition to competitions for various film sections, Festival also features film programmes, retrospectives and side events exhibitions conferences round-table discussions etc as contribution to raising awareness of history of Italian and international cinema. Festival’s Film Competitions divided into various sections namely Feature Film Section, Short Films Section, Animated Films Section, Videscuola Competition reserved for films made by pupils at schools of all levels, Discovery Campania Section featuring films both documentaries and fiction aimed at promoting places of social cultural and tourist interest in Campania region, A Glance At The World Section dedicated to works whose main themes are human rights inclusion gender equality peace and social justice, Eco Film feature films short films and documentaries on environmental themes, Documentary Competition, Cinema of the Future Section dedicated exclusively to short films created using artificial intelligence deep learning or emerging production tools smartphones drones AI.

Reviews, Retrospectives and Collateral Activities: Reviews, Retrospectives and collateral activities Exhibitions Conferences Round Tables etc as contribution to dissemination of History of Italian and International Cinema. Theme of festival will be Transitions Cinema that Regenerates Future. 2026 edition takes place against global backdrop marked by profound transitions climatic energy-related technological social economic and cultural. These transformations changing way communities inhabit territories create value communicate consume resources perceive future and construct collective imaginaries. Cinema cannot merely record reality it can become language capable of anticipating interpreting and questioning it while making complex processes understandable and accessible to all.

Specialized Cinematographies: Documentaries with Sections of specialized Cinematographies include Experimental, Sporty, Tourism, Underwater video, Didactics, Industrial, Information, Surgical doctor, Religious, Scientific, Social, Cartoon, plus Feature and short films Fiction Film Dossier Cartoons Commercials Video clips Smartphone films Videscuola Discovery Campania Environment Soundtracks Cinema for a book a book for Cinema.

Film di lunga durata e anteprime

350 Films from 50 Countries: The 2021 edition saw participation of 350 films in competition from 50 countries and was internationally famous. Festival won by movie Governance in 2021. Selections include Italian and international productions with particular focus on independent works and technical and artistic innovation.

Film: Feature Films Italian and Foreign must have minimum running time of 60 minutes, works produced before 1 January 2024 not eligible for selection. Admitted works submitted to Technical Jury which awards at sole discretion category trophies.

Cortometraggi: Short Films Italian and Foreign must have maximum duration of 30 minutes, Animated Films have no duration limit, Documentaries must have maximum running time of 90 minutes.

Theme Preference: Theme Transitions Cinema that Regenerates Future will be considered preference for selection purposes but is not binding. Ecological transition does not concern only environment in technical sense but implies shift in way we conceive relationship between humanity technology economy and nature. For this reason Festival proposes cultural interpretation of sustainability not merely reduction in environmental impact but transformation of perspective narratives and social practices. Cinema thus becomes driver of awareness and catalyst for new collective responsibilities.

Registi, attori e ospiti

Founders and Patrons: Cine Club Salerno born in 1945 from group of friends with ambitious program promoting culture through cinema. Enterprising founders Ignazio Rossi, Matteo Della Corte, Achille Guglielmi and others masters of camera. Patron Mario De Cesare leads current organization.

Guests and Honours: On closing night honours bestowed upon prominent figures in artistic social and cultural spheres. Open Forum Cinema and dance organised at Convitto Nazionale with interventions of Maestro Fabrizio Esposito in dual capacity of moderator and rapporteur, Maestro Emma Cianchi and teacher Martina Tordiglione. Past guests include Vittorio De Sica, Rossano Brazzi, Adriana Benetti.

Juries: Films assessed by dedicated panel comprising members of Festival Committee which decides at sole discretion on admission to competitions. Admitted works submitted to Technical Jury which awards at sole discretion category trophies. Audience present in cinema votes rating 1 to 5 arithmetic mean calculated determining winner of Audience Award. Press Award awarded by jury comprising some of most prominent journalists from Salerno and beyond.

International Participants: Participants from 50 countries, with directors nationalities any, debut films, school projects, with films in foreign languages other than English must be subtitled in Italian or English for assessment, foreign-language films selected for screening at Augusteo must be subtitled in Italian.

Programma delle proiezioni

Cine-Teatro Augusteo Schedule: Films screened at Cine-Teatro Augusteo with schedule to be determined at discretion of Festival Management subject to date of submission and standard film entry procedures. Audiences attending screenings will have opportunity to cast rating vote for each film they watch.

Closing Night: On closing night prizes awarded to winning films and honours bestowed upon prominent figures. Awards Ceremony may also be split into two separate evenings one dedicated to Specialised Cinema documentaries cartoons etc and another dedicated to feature-length films and various other awards.

Side Events: Film programmes, retrospectives and side events exhibitions conferences round-table discussions etc as contribution to raising awareness of history of Italian and international cinema. Both side events and awards ceremony streamed on Festival’s social media channels.

Daily Program: Festival includes Competitions for various Film Sections, Reviews, Retrospectives and collateral activities, with final programme listing works admitted to Competition available prior to start on website festivaldelcinema.it.

Tipi di biglietti e accreditamento

Entry Fee: Entry fee of $27 must be paid for each film to cover administrative costs, films will not be accepted unless entry fee paid. Standard Fee $27 with 8 percent discount to $25 for early submissions, with submissions deadline 30 Sep. Save up $2.

Audience Tickets: Tickets from previous editions around $12 to $25 for single screening at Augusteo. Festival passes for entire edition around $55 to $85 for public, with reduced rates for students.

Accreditamento: Press accreditation for journalists from Salerno and beyond for Press Award jury, Industry accreditation for professionals, with free entry for schools participating in Videscuola Competition.

Streaming Access: Both side events and awards ceremony streamed on Festival’s social media channels, free access to online audience.

Archive Use: All films entered will form part of Salerno International Film Festival archive and may be used for cultural educational and other such purposes including public screenings and or television broadcasts, commercial use excluded.

Settore e accesso professionale

Cine Club Salerno Network: Cine Club Salerno became point of reference not only for world cinematography but also for decisions of revolutionary nature in technical field that were established in world conferences held in Salerno by photo and cinematographic companies. New film standards established from 8 to Super8.

World Conferences: World conferences held in Salerno by photo and cinematographic companies establishing new film standards, point of reference for technical decisions.

Professional Development: Festival fosters ongoing dialogue on developments in world cinema, with particular focus on independent works and technical and artistic innovation, with conferences round-tables and Open Forum Cinema and dance.

Collaboration: Organising Committee non-profit organisation responsible for staging annual editions, with tax code 80046160653, registered office Via Portacatena 51, collaboration with De Cesare Viaggi Conference Centre Via Roma 296 Salerno Tel 089 231953.

Rete internazionale: Participation of 350 films from 50 countries internationally famous, with production countries any, shooting countries any, director nationalities any, debut films, school projects, fostering dialogue.

Red carpet ed eventi speciali

Cerimonia di chiusura: Closing night at Augusteo Theater where winners of edition announced, with anticipation for final evening where winners announced. Great anticipation for final evening at Augusteo Theater in Salerno in which winners will be announced.

Open Forum: Open Forum Cinema and dance organised at Convitto Nazionale with interventions of Maestro Fabrizio Esposito moderator and rapporteur, Maestro Emma Cianchi and teacher Martina Tordiglione.

Mayor Blessing: Mayor Vincenzo Naples words Salerno International Cinema represents further step towards return to normality. Furthermore it is film festival which is part of history and experience of our city Salerno. These are blessing words of Mayor.

Exhibitions and Conferences: Exhibitions conferences round-table discussions as contribution to raising awareness of history of Italian and international cinema, with theme Transitions Cinema that Regenerates Future cultural interpretation of sustainability.

Streaming of Events: Both side events and awards ceremony streamed on Festival’s social media channels, allowing wider audience to participate.

Regole del festival

Requisiti di ammissibilità: Works produced before 1 January 2024 not eligible for selection. Works previously submitted to previous editions may not be entered. Feature films minimum 60 minutes, Short films maximum 30 minutes, Animated no duration limit, Documentaries maximum 90 minutes.

Sottotitoli: Films in foreign languages other than English must be subtitled in Italian or English for assessment by juries. Foreign-language films selected for screening at Augusteo must be subtitled in Italian.

Entry Procedures: Entries for Festival’s competitions may only be submitted via platform indicated Festhome. Entry fee $27 per film, deadline for registration and submission 30 September 2026. Films must be uploaded online via platforms HD or 4K files in H264 codec mov or mp4 format bitrate 20 Mbps and must not exceed 10 gigabytes. File must remain available for download until end of Festival.

Acceptance: An Artistic Committee appointed by Organisers will assess submitted works and select those admitted to official cinema screenings. Committee’s decision is final. If selected contact person receives official notification specifying screening dates and times. Participation implies unconditional acceptance of rules. Regulations drawn up in Italian and English, Italian version prevails. In event of disputes Court of Salerno shall have jurisdiction.

Diritti: Author or rights holder guarantees they hold all rights necessary for participation including musical image and performance rights. Organisers exempt from liability arising from disputes relating to rights raised by third parties. Author authorises Organisers free of charge to screen work during Festival and at any future promotional events linked to Festival as well as publish extracts max 3 mins for promotional purposes on TV web social media and press. Personal data processed in accordance with European Regulation GDPR.

Come arrivarci

In treno: Salerno station is on main line connecting Naples, Rome, Reggio Calabria, with high-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains. From station short walk or bus to Cine-Teatro Augusteo at ground floor of northern Palazzo di Città Town Hall. Salerno is gateway to Amalfi Coast.

In aereo: Naples International Airport NAP is nearest major airport, with bus or train connection to Salerno, about 60 km. Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport QSR with limited flights.

In auto: Salerno accessible via A3 motorway and A30, exit Salerno, then follow signs to centre and Palazzo di Città. Parking limited in historic centre.

Camminare: Once in Salerno centre, Cine-Teatro Augusteo located at ground floor of northern Palazzo di Città easily walkable, with Teatro Verdi also nearby.

Historic Locations: Early editions held also in Cava de’ Tirreni, Positano and Amalfi, now concentrated in Salerno centre, with various locations in Salerno for side events.

Trasporti pubblici e parcheggio

Trasporto pubblico: Busitalia Campania operates bus network in Salerno, with frequent services to centre, Palazzo di Città, Teatro Verdi. Tickets around $1.50 per ride or $4 for day pass.

Parcheggio: Parking limited in historic centre near Palazzo di Città, use parking garages at Piazza della Concordia, Via Vinciprova, or Lungomare, with fees around $15 to $25 per day.

Ferry: Ferry connections to Amalfi Coast towns Positano Amalfi, relevant to festival’s historic locations, operating seasonally.

Accessibilità: Public transport accessible, but historic centre may have cobblestones. Cine-Teatro Augusteo at ground floor accessible.

Aree di alloggio

Salerno Centre: Staying near Cine-Teatro Augusteo and Palazzo di Città offers proximity, with hotels ranging $80 to $180 per night during festival. Book early for November edition.

Lungomare: Hotels along Lungomare Trieste offer sea view, with prices $100 to $220, short walk to Augusteo.

Centro Storico: Boutique B&Bs and apartments in historic centre $70 to $140, popular with festival attendees, near Teatro Verdi and Sala Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Amalfi Coast: For extended stay, accommodation in Cava de’ Tirreni, Positano, Amalfi where early projections held, offers scenic base, with prices $90 to $200, bus or ferry to Salerno.

Consigli di prenotazione: Festival part of history and experience of city, with Mayor support, book at least month ahead for November period, with Bologna Welcome style information via De Cesare Viaggi Conference Centre.

Cibo e ristorazione

Salerno Cuisine: Salerno offers Campanian cuisine with mozzarella di bufala, pasta alla Genovese, parmigiana, fresh seafood, with average meal $25 to $50 per person near centre.

Centro Dining: Restaurants around Palazzo di Città and Teatro Verdi offer traditional dishes, with pizzerias offering pizza margherita $8 to $12.

Catering del festival: Festival venues offer catering for networking, with aperitivo between screenings at Augusteo bar.

Cibo di strada: Quick bites like cuoppo fritto, sfogliatella, gelato, pizza slices $5 to $10 available near venues.

Vino: Campania wines like Aglianico, Fiano, Greco di Tufo, with wine bars offering tastings around $7 to $12 per glass.

Accessibilità

Cine-Teatro Augusteo: Cine-Teatro Augusteo located at ground floor of northern Palazzo di Città accessible entrance and seating, with accessible restrooms.

Teatro Verdi: Teatro Verdi and other historic locations have varying accessibility, check in advance, with staff assistance.

Sottotitoli: Foreign-language films subtitled in Italian for screening, making accessible to local audience, with English subtitles for assessment.

Streaming: Side events and awards ceremony streamed on social media channels, offering accessible viewing for remote audience.

Inclusivo: Festival assigns important social function to cinema, with particular focus on human rights inclusion gender equality peace and social justice in A Glance At The World Section, and Videscuola Competition for pupils at schools of all levels.

Le migliori proiezioni a cui partecipare

Feature Films Italian and Foreign: Feature Film Section competition for Italian and Foreign features with Ignazio Rossi Gulf of Salerno Grand Trophy for best film overall, showcasing independent works and technical artistic innovation.

Cortometraggi: Short Films Section Italian and Foreign with maximum 30 minutes, showcasing emerging directors, with Audience Award voted by audience present in cinema.

Discovery Campania: Discovery Campania Section featuring films both documentaries and fiction aimed at promoting places of social cultural and tourist interest in Campania region, unique to Salerno.

Eco Film and A Glance At The World: Eco Film feature short documentaries on environmental themes aligned with Transitions theme, and A Glance At The World dedicated to human rights inclusion gender equality peace social justice.

Cinema of the Future: Cinema of the Future Section dedicated exclusively to short films created using artificial intelligence deep learning or emerging production tools smartphones drones AI, showcasing innovation, with Awards Ceremony split into two evenings one for Specialised Cinema documentaries cartoons etc and another for feature-length films.

Momenti salienti dell'anno precedente

79th Edition: 79th Salerno International Film Festival took place from November 24th to 29th 2025 at Cine-Teatro Augusteo, with competitions for various film sections plus Reviews Retrospectives and collateral activities Exhibitions Conferences Round Tables as contribution to dissemination of History of Italian and International Cinema.

80th Theme: Theme Transitions Cinema that Regenerates Future takes place against global backdrop marked by profound transitions climatic energy-related technological social economic cultural changing way communities inhabit territories create value communicate consume resources perceive future and construct collective imaginaries. Cinema becomes language capable of anticipating interpreting questioning it while making complex processes understandable accessible to all.

2021 Record: 2021 edition saw participation of 350 films in competition from 50 countries and was internationally famous, won by movie Governance, demonstrating international reach.

76th Edition: 76th event held from 28 November to 3 December 2022 at CineTeatro Augusteo and various locations in Salerno, Sections included Feature and short films Fiction Film Dossier Cartoons Commercials Video clips Smartphone films Videscuola Discovery Campania Environment Soundtracks Cinema for a book a book for Cinema and Documentaries with various Sections of specialized Cinematographies Experimental Sporty Tourism Underwater Didactics Industrial Information Surgical Religious Scientific Social.

History and Innovation: Festival history from 1946 first National Exhibition of Cinema a Passo Ridotto lowering 35 mm to 16 mm for easier distribution, with innovations from 8 to Super8 disposable cameras established in Salerno, world conferences held by photo and cinematographic companies, point of reference for revolutionary technical decisions.

Biglietti ufficiali e accreditamento

Sito ufficiale: www.festivaldelcinema.it
Indirizzo email di contatto: iscrizione@festivaldelcinema.it for entries, info@festivaldelcinema.it for general, Address Via Portacatena 51 84121 Salerno SA Italy, Tel 089 231953, De Cesare Viaggi Conference Centre Via Roma 296 Salerno.
Sede principale: Cine-Teatro Augusteo ground floor of northern Palazzo di Città Palazzo di Città Town Hall Salerno, plus Teatro Verdi and various locations in Salerno, Sala Pier Paolo Pasolini, Teatro delle Arti Via Pio XI.
Biglietti: Entry fee $27 per film covering administrative costs, early discount to $25, deadline 30 Sep 2026, notification 23 Nov 2026, audience tickets $12 to $25 single screening, festival pass $55 to $85, press accreditation for Press Award jury, Videscuola free for schools, streaming of side events and awards ceremony free on social media, final programme available prior to start on website festivaldelcinema.it, correspondence to Salerno International Film Festival c/o De Cesare Viaggi Conference Centre.

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Posizione

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