Working Title Film Festival 2026 – Vicenza, Italy

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

Cosa aspettarsi

A film festival about work: Working Title Film Festival is a unique international festival dedicated entirely to cinema and audiovisual arts that reflect on the theme of work. Promoted by LIES – Laboratorio dell’inchiesta economica e sociale, a permanent workshop for economic and social inquiry based in Padua and active in Padua and Vicenza since 2011, the festival was born in 2016 with the aim to encourage reflection on issues related to work in contemporary society and on the relevant political, social and cultural context. It is not a generic showcase of independent cinema but a curated inquiry into how labor shapes lives, identities and communities.

Reading contemporary labor through cinema: The festival intends to read through a contemporary viewpoint the current patterns and conditions of the world of work, focusing not only on its negative perspective, on precariousness, fragmentation and reduced workers’ protection and rights, but also on its creative possibilities, rewarding stories and intellectual and handcraft achievements. Topics include life stories and testimonies of current or disappearing jobs, latest technological and social frontiers, migrations and diversity, and the encounter with the other through labor.

Independent and emerging cinema: Moreover, the festival aims at giving visibility to audiovisual artworks that are not mainstream and do not belong to the official distribution network, and to emerging cinema, thus creating a dialogue between independent filmmakers and the audience. The program includes a selection of audiovisual works in competition, Q&As, presentations, meetings, art exhibitions, debates and workshops, fostering a community of filmmakers, researchers, workers and citizens.

Date del festival

Main edition: November 25–28, 2026

Durata: Four days of screenings, meetings and collateral events, with activities concentrated in afternoon and evening slots to allow participation from workers, students and professionals.

Selection timeline: The selection committee informs applicants about the selected shortlist no later than July 31, 2026, following an international call open to works completed after January 1, 2023.

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Sedi e sedi del festival

Cinema Odeon – Nuova Sala Lampertico: The main venue hosting the 8th edition will be Cinema Odeon, located at Corso Andrea Palladio 176, Vicenza. This historic cinema in the heart of the city center, part of the elegant Palladian architecture of Vicenza, is equipped with digital HD projection and quality sound, providing an intimate yet professional setting for competition screenings and Q&As.

Teatro Comunale Città di Vicenza – Sala del Ridotto: Previous editions were hosted at Teatro Comunale, Viale Mazzini 39, Vicenza. The Ridotto hall has served as a key venue for screenings and debates, with its theatrical setting enhancing the festival’s cultural prestige.

Exworks and Bottega Faustino: Additional venues include Exworks, located at Strada del Pasubio 106/G, c/o Zerogloss design store, an artistic and creative space that hosts special screenings, exhibitions and pay-as-you-wish events, and the local wine bar Bottega Faustino, which has hosted informal meetings and networking aperitifs. Earlier editions also used Cinema Primavera and Polo Giovani B55.

Diffuse city model: The festival uses multiple venues within walking distance in Vicenza’s center, creating a diffuse circuit that encourages audiences to explore the city while moving between screenings and collateral events.

Programma completo

Concorsi internazionali: The international competition is open to any genre of audiovisual work – documentary, fiction, animation, experimental – on the theme of work, with no restrictions on running time. The essential requirement is to deal with the theme of work, which can be articulated in past, present or future tense. Films may have already been screened elsewhere.

Screenings and Q&As: Selected films are screened in DCP or digital HD, with a backup copy in .mov or .mp4 required. Each screening is followed by Q&As with directors present, allowing direct dialogue with the audience about production, research and political context.

Special screenings and exhibitions: Out-of-competition sections include special screenings, art exhibitions, presentations of books and research projects related to labor, and meetings with workers, union representatives and scholars. Debates and workshops deepen the reflection on precariousness, technological change and new forms of solidarity.

Jury and awards: The festival nominates a jury consisting of at least three members, professionals belonging to Italian and European film or cultural industry. The jury awards the prize for best film in each section and may assign honorable mentions. There is no prize money, emphasizing recognition and visibility over commercial competition.

Film di lunga durata e anteprime

Diverse formats and stories: Featured films include short and feature-length documentaries capturing disappearing crafts, industrial transformations and daily labor; fiction films that dramatize precarious employment, migration and creative work; animations that visualize labor through metaphor; and experimental works that explore the aesthetics of workspaces and gestures.

Focus on independent production: The selection prioritizes independent audiovisual production about the world of work, presenting original points of view and languages that rarely find space in mainstream distribution. Many films are Italian premieres or regional premieres that have previously screened at labor-focused or documentary festivals.

Thematic strands: Recent strands have included stories of life and testimonies of current or disappearing jobs, latest technological and social frontiers such as platform work and automation, precariousness and lack of rights, rewarding stories of cooperatives and self-managed enterprises, as well as intellectual and handcraft achievements.

Subtitling and accessibility: All Italian-spoken films are required to have English subtitles, and all films not in Italian are required to have Italian and/or English subtitles, ensuring accessibility for international audiences and jury members.

Registi, attori e ospiti

Emerging filmmakers: The festival gives visibility to emerging directors, many presenting their first or second work, who attend screenings and participate in extended Q&As. Directors are often researchers, activists or workers themselves, bringing firsthand experience to their storytelling.

Professionals and scholars: Guests include film critics, programmers, sociologists, economists and labor historians who moderate debates and contextualize films within broader social research. The LIES collective curates meetings that connect filmmakers with local workers and students.

Workers and protagonists: In line with its participatory ethos, the festival invites workers whose stories are portrayed on screen to join discussions, creating a direct dialogue between subjects, authors and audiences. This approach strengthens the festival’s commitment to inquiry rather than spectacle.

Community of practice: The festival fosters a community where filmmakers, audience members and local associations build lasting relationships, often leading to future collaborations and research projects.

Programma delle proiezioni

Struttura giornaliera: Screenings are typically scheduled in afternoon and evening blocks, with two to three screenings per day at Cinema Odeon. Each screening includes introduction by festival staff, film projection and Q&A lasting up to an hour, allowing deep engagement.

Competition and special sections: The competition films are screened in curated programs, sometimes grouped by theme or duration, while special screenings and exhibitions are scheduled at Exworks and other spaces in parallel, offering alternative pathways through the program.

Cerimonia di premiazione: The final day includes the jury deliberation and award ceremony, where best films in each section and honorable mentions are announced, followed by a closing film and informal gathering at Bottega Faustino.

Accessibility of schedule: The full schedule is published online and at venues, with printed programs available. Online tickets include a small commission, and box office opens one hour before screenings.

Tipi di biglietti e accreditamento

Biglietto per proiezione singola: Standard ticket price for screenings at Teatro Comunale and Cinema Odeon is $6.50 USD, based on previous editions listing 6 euro per screening. Online tickets cost an additional $0.54 USD commission, bringing the online price to approximately $7.04 USD. Tickets can be purchased at the box office of Teatro Comunale, via online ticket office, app TcVi, and at counters of partner banks.

Pay-as-you-wish admission: Screenings and events at Exworks operate on pay-as-you-wish admission, allowing audiences to contribute according to their means and encouraging broader participation, with suggested donations supporting the festival’s independent organization.

Full accreditation: For dedicated attendees, a full accreditation covering all screenings has been offered in past editions at approximately $43.40 USD, which included access to 10 screenings featuring 24 films at Teatro Comunale and all events at Exworks featuring additional films, plus a shopper bag and pin. This accreditation provides significant savings for those attending multiple days.

Submission fees: Filmmakers submitting to the competitive sections are required to pay a submission fee of approximately $10.85 USD per section for early submissions, with later deadlines at approximately $27.10 USD and $32.52 USD depending on timing, reflecting standard festival practice to cover selection costs.

Settore e accesso professionale

Professional jury and industry guests: The jury consists of professionals from Italian and European film or cultural industry, including directors, producers, programmers and critics, who attend screenings and participate in industry meetings.

Filmmaker support: The festival covers half of the transport cost for hard copies of selected films and returns copies within two weeks after the event, supporting independent filmmakers with limited budgets. No rental fees are paid for selected films, emphasizing non-commercial collaboration.

Networking and meetings: Q&As, presentations and meetings provide networking opportunities between filmmakers, local associations, students and workers. The intimate scale of Vicenza venues facilitates direct, informal exchanges that are often more productive than large market events.

Research collaboration: Through LIES, the festival connects film professionals with economic and social researchers, fostering interdisciplinary projects that combine audiovisual production with fieldwork on labor issues.

Red carpet ed eventi speciali

Intimate festival atmosphere: Rather than a glamorous red carpet, Working Title offers a focused, research-driven atmosphere where the red carpet is replaced by direct dialogue. Opening and closing events take place in historic venues with modest but meaningful ceremonies.

Opening and closing: Opening night includes presentation of the program, jury and selected filmmakers, followed by first competition screening. Closing night features award ceremony and closing film, often followed by informal gathering.

Exhibitions and debates: Art exhibitions related to work, debates with union representatives, book presentations and workshops complement screenings, transforming the festival into a temporary laboratory for social inquiry.

Community gatherings: Events at Exworks and Bottega Faustino include aperitifs, live music and informal discussions, creating spaces for community building beyond screenings.

Regole del festival

Submission and selection: The international competition is open to films of any genre on the theme of work, completed after January 1, 2023. The festival accepts works already screened elsewhere. All Italian-spoken films must have English subtitles, and non-Italian films must have Italian and/or English subtitles.

Copyright and promotional use: Participants authorize use of photographs and excerpts of their film up to three minutes for press, TV, radio and internet promotional purposes. Screening and music copyright remain author’s responsibility, and submitter is responsible for royalties.

Screening formats: Selected films must be available in DCP or digital HD, with backup .mov or .mp4 copy required. Full credits, director’s biography, filmography, synopsis and promotional materials are required for selected films.

Conduct and jurisdiction: Registration implies consent to rules and authorization for screening during event and related exhibitions. Any legal disputes fall under jurisdiction of Vicenza court. Festival reserves right to decide on matters not specified.

Come arrivarci

In treno: Vicenza railway station is served by regional and high-speed trains from Milan, Venice, Verona, Padua and Bologna. From the station, Cinema Odeon at Corso Palladio is reachable by short bus ride or 15-minute walk through historic center.

In autobus: SVT buses connect the railway station to festival venues: bus number 7 to via Cairoli, number 6 to via Bonollo or viale Mazzini, number 5 to via Btg. Framarin for Teatro Comunale, and number 6 to strada Pasubio for Exworks. Tickets can be purchased at automatic machines and tobacco shops.

In auto: Vicenza is accessible via A4 motorway with exits at Vicenza Est and Vicenza Ovest. Parking areas are available near Teatro Comunale and in the historic center, with paid parking and limited traffic zones to consider.

Per via aerea: Nearest airports are Venice Marco Polo, Verona Villafranca and Milan Bergamo, all offering train and bus connections to Vicenza via Verona or Padua.

Trasporti pubblici e parcheggio

Local public transport: SVT operates urban bus lines covering all festival venues, with frequent services during festival days. Tickets are available via app, machines and authorized sellers.

Parking facilities: Public parking is available near Teatro Comunale at Viale Mazzini, near Exworks at Strada del Pasubio and in central parking lots such as Parcheggio Verdi and Parcheggio Fogazzaro. Parking for visitors with reduced mobility is reserved near entrances.

Sustainable mobility: Organizers encourage use of public transport, bicycles and walking, especially for venues in the historic center where vehicle access is limited. Bike racks are available near main venues.

Information points: Festival venues provide maps and staff assistance for navigating between Cinema Odeon, Teatro Comunale and Exworks, with clear signage and volunteer support.

Aree di alloggio

City centre hotels: Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Vicenza’s historic center offer convenient access to Cinema Odeon and Teatro Comunale, often within walking distance. Many offer special rates for festival attendees during the low season.

Near station and outskirts: Hotels near the railway station and in the outskirts provide affordable alternatives with easy bus connections to venues. Agriturismi in the Berici Hills offer quieter stays with easy driving access.

Budget options: Hostels, university residences and vacation rentals provide affordable alternatives for students and filmmakers. Early booking is recommended due to concurrent events in Vicenza.

Extended stay advice: Spending several days in Vicenza allows visitors to combine festival screenings with exploration of Palladian architecture, including the Basilica Palladiana and Teatro Olimpico.

Cibo e ristorazione

Historic centre dining: Restaurants, trattorias and wine bars in Corso Palladio and Piazza dei Signori serve Vicentine cuisine, including baccalà alla vicentina, sopressa and local wines, with many offering fixed-price lunch menus convenient between screenings.

Festival aperitifs: Bottega Faustino and other local bars host festival aperitifs where filmmakers and audiences meet informally, with local wines and cicchetti providing a relaxed networking environment.

Brevi spunti: Pizzerias, sandwich shops and bakery outlets near Cinema Odeon provide fast options between afternoon and evening screenings, allowing attendees to stay within the festival circuit.

Accommodation dining: Hotels with restaurants often include breakfast and half-board options, convenient for attendees watching multiple films per day.

Accessibilità

Accessibilità della sede: Cinema Odeon, Teatro Comunale Sala del Ridotto and Exworks are equipped with ground-floor access, designated spaces for wheelchair users and accessible restrooms. Staff are available to assist with entry and seating.

Hearing and visual support: Screenings include Italian and English subtitles as per festival requirements, and printed programs provide detailed synopses. Upon request, staff can provide orientation for visually impaired visitors.

Inclusive ticketing: Pay-as-you-wish admission at Exworks ensures economic accessibility, while reduced price tickets and free entry for carers can be arranged at box office with advance reservation.

Contact and support: Visitors requiring specific assistance are advised to contact organizers in advance via workingtitlefilmfestival@gmail.com to arrange support. The official website https://www.workingtitlefilmfestival.it/ provides detailed information.

Le migliori proiezioni a cui partecipare

Opening and competition programs: The most unmissable screenings are the opening night film and the curated competition programs that group films by theme, offering a comprehensive view of contemporary work-related cinema and direct Q&As with directors.

Award-winning and jury-selected films: Screenings of films that receive jury prizes and honorable mentions represent the festival’s highest recognition and often include extended discussions with filmmakers and scholars.

Special screenings at Exworks: Pay-as-you-wish screenings and exhibitions at Exworks provide experimental and artistic perspectives on labor, often featuring installations and live performances not available in traditional cinema settings.

Closing film and ceremony: The closing night award ceremony and closing film gather all guests and audience for a celebratory conclusion, summarizing the festival’s inquiry into work.

Momenti salienti dell'anno precedente

Focus on contemporary labor: Previous editions highlighted stories of disappearing jobs, platform work, migration and creative possibilities, with a selection of documentaries, fiction and experimental works that demonstrated the diversity of cinematic approaches to work.

Guest participation: Filmmakers, workers and scholars participated in vibrant Q&As that extended beyond scheduled times, with audiences engaging in debates about precariousness, rights and future of work.

Venue atmosphere: Screenings at Cinema Odeon and special events at Exworks created an intimate, participatory atmosphere where independent cinema and social research intersected, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as a laboratory for economic and social inquiry.

Impatto sulla comunità: The festival strengthened connections between LIES, local associations, students and international filmmakers, leading to ongoing research projects and collaborations that continue beyond the festival days.

Biglietti ufficiali e accreditamento

Official channels: Tickets are sold through the box office of Teatro Comunale, online ticket office, app TcVi, counters of partner banks and in the theatre one hour before screenings. For Exworks, pay-as-you-wish admission is available at entry. For information, contact workingtitlefilmfestival@gmail.com or visit https://www.workingtitlefilmfestival.it/.

Pricing reference: While final pricing for the upcoming edition will be confirmed closer to the event, reference pricing from previous editions converted to USD is as follows: single screening ticket approximately $6.50 USD, online ticket with commission approximately $7.04 USD, full accreditation approximately $43.40 USD, submission fees ranging from approximately $10.85 USD to $32.52 USD depending on deadline. Exworks events operate on pay-as-you-wish basis.

Accreditation process: Filmmakers and professionals can request accreditation via the official website, providing proof of activity. Approval is communicated via email with instructions for collecting badges at venues.

Posizione

Domande frequenti