Castrovillari Film Festival (CVFF) - International Auteur Short Film Festival is an international festival in Southern Italy dedicated to radical cinema of research, visionary auteur-driven works, and bold aesthetic exploration.
We champion cinema as an evolving art form: uncompromising narratives, hybrid languages, formal audacity, and personal artistic visions that challenge conventional storytelling.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS & AWARDS
$1,000 Cash Prizes (Grand Jury Prize & Best Short Film) + Official Trophies & Laurels.
No Premiere Policy: all genres eligible (Fiction, Doc, Animation, Experimental, Music Video) up to 30 minutes, including films already available online.
Live 4K Open-Air Screenings: theatrical presentation inside the historic Castello Aragonese, between the old town and the Pollino National Park.
Hospitality & Networking: complimentary accommodation and meals (full hospitality) are provided for all officially selected directors, alongside Q&As, panels, and networking events designed to connect filmmakers with audiences, critics, and industry guests.
AT A GLANCE — 8 YEARS OF CINEMA
13,000+ submissions - 100+ countries - 7,000+ attendees - 130+ official selections - 100+ awards presented.
ALUMNI & FESTIVAL FRIENDS
Prantik Narayan Basu (Rotterdam IFF; Berlinale) - Qiu Yang (Cannes Palme d'Or) - Yorgos Zois (Semaine de la Critique) - Guy Nattiv (Academy Award) - Alan King (Clermont-Ferrand) - Tommaso Santambrogio (Venice Film Festival) - Anthony Nti (Academy Award shortlisted) - Jeremy Comte (Academy Award nominee) - Andrea Gatopoulos (Quinzaine des Cineastes; Venice International Film Critics' Week) - Beatrice Baldacci (Venice Orizzonti; Biennale College - Venice 78) - Francesco Montagner (Locarno Film Festival) - Francesco Manzato (Venice International Film Critics' Week) - Davide Palella (Alice nella Citta - Rome) - Rossella Inglese (Venice International Film Critics' Week)
PRESS & TESTIMONIALS
"If you're a filmmaker and want to screen your film under the stars, Castrovillari Film Festival is the place for you." — Prantik Narayan Basu
"Passion and real understanding of cinema—world-class, truly diverse curation." — Alan King
"The best of international cinema in Italy." — Prem1ere Film
ARTISTIC DIRECTION
Curated for the 9th consecutive year by Antonio La Camera (Venice International Film Critics' Week) and Francesco Sottile (winner, "2 Agosto" Composition Competition). Produced by Associazione Culturale Chimera APS.
SUBMIT YOUR FILM — uncompromising visions belong here.
