Cittadella International Film Festival (1)

Festival start: 08 May 2026      Festival end: 10 May 2026

CIFF – Cittadella International Film Festival is an international film event held in the stunning medieval town of Cittadella (Padua, Italy)—a walled city rich in history, culture, and architectural beauty.

The festival is dedicated to promoting independent cinema from around the world, giving space to emerging filmmakers and established artists who craft stories that move, challenge, and inspire.

The prestigious Malta’s Tower Award (Premio Torre di Malta) is the festival’s top honor, awarded to the film that best exemplifies narrative innovation, visual impact, and artistic excellence. The award is named after the historic "Torre di Malta," a medieval landmark that stands as a symbol of the city’s cultural heritage.

CIFF welcomes short films, documentaries, feature films, experimental cinema, and animation, across all genres and languages. Screenings take place in spectacular historic venues, offering a cinematic experience deeply rooted in place and tradition.

CIFF is more than a festival—it’s a hub for exchange, with masterclasses, industry panels, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities designed to connect creators and audiences worldwide.

Official Awards

The CIFF – Cittadella International Film Festival celebrates excellence not only in storytelling, but also in the many cinematic crafts that bring a film to life.

Malta’s Tower Award – Premio Torre di Malta
The festival’s highest honor: a handcrafted miniature replica of the Malta’s Tower, awarded to the Best Overall Film for artistic, technical, and narrative excellence.

Recognition Plaques
All winners receive engraved plaques with the filmmaker’s name, film title, and the award or recognition received.

Main Competition Categories:

- Best Feature Film (Tower of Malta Award)

- Best Short Movie

- Best Documentary

- Best Music Videoclip

- Best Web Serie



Technical & Artistic Awards:

- Best Director

- Best Screenplay

- Best Editing

- Best Soundtrack

- Best Actor

- Best Actress



Honorary & Special Awards:

- Career Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to the art of cinema

- Culture & Territory Award for works that enhance cultural heritage, memory, or landscape

- Social Improvement

OFFICIAL REGULATIONS

CIFF – Cittadella International Film Festival
Cittadella (Padua), Italy
Malta’s Tower Award
Next edition: May 8–10, 2026

1. ORGANIZATION AND MISSION

CIFF is an international festival dedicated to promoting independent cinema and showcasing new artistic voices, within the unique cultural and historical setting of the walled city of Cittadella (PD).
It is organized by Revolux Studios S.r.l., with the patronage of the Municipality of Cittadella and the support of local cultural institutions.

2. SUBMISSIONS AND CATEGORIES

Eligible works must have been produced after January 1, 2023, regardless of nationality and language, provided they are subtitled in English or Italian.

Competition categories:

- Feature Films
- Short Films
- Documentaries
- Web Series (episodes or pilots)
- Music Videos

Focus Italy (films by Italian directors or set in Italy)

All selected works will be considered for both technical and artistic awards.

3. DEADLINES AND ENTRY FEES

Submissions are accepted exclusively through the FilmFreeway platform and are divided as follows:

Early Deadline – until November 15, 2025

Regular Deadline – until January 31, 2026

Late Deadline – until February 28, 2026

Extended Deadline – until April 11, 2026

Notification Date – by April 25, 2026

Event Date – May 8–10, 2026


4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Not accepted:

- Works produced before 01/01/2023

- Works already distributed in any physical or digital format, online or On Demand

- Works submitted in previous editions of CIFF

- Amateur or basic school projects

- Works made by CIFF staff members

- Works containing illegal, discriminatory, propagandistic, or pornographic content


5. REQUIRED MATERIALS

Each submission must include:

- Video file in .mp4 (H.264 codec), download enabled

- Vertical A4 poster (300dpi JPG or PDF)

- Short synopsis (200–350 characters)

- Complete credits: Direction, Cast, Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Music, Sound, VFX, etc.

- Mandatory English subtitles if the original language is not English or Italian

- All files must be uploaded via FilmFreeway & Festhome platforms

- Other delivery methods will not be considered

- Incorrect submission of materials or non-compliant files may result in disqualification.


6. SELECTION

Works will be reviewed by a technical committee and, if deemed suitable, admitted to the official selection (announcement: April 16, 2026).
An external artistic jury will assign the awards. All decisions are final.

7. AWARDS

Winners will be honored during the final ceremony with:

Malta’s Tower Award – a miniature of the medieval tower

Personalized plaques with name and category

Main Awards:

- Best Film (Malta’s Tower Award)
- Best Short Film
- Best Documentary
- Best Web Series
- Best Music Video


Technical and Artistic Awards:

- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Editing
- Best Original Score
- Best Actress
- Best Actor


Honorary Special Awards:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Culture & Territory Award

Social Commitment Award

If winners cannot attend the ceremony, awards will be shipped (shipping costs borne by the recipient, within 6 months).

8. SCREENINGS

The festival will take place in person, with a possible online section at the discretion of the organizers. Screening files must comply with technical requirements communicated at the selection stage.

9. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

By submitting, the author:

Declares to be of legal age and the rightful owner of the work’s rights

Releases CIFF from all legal liability concerning copyright, content, and pre-existing contractual agreements among authors, producers, and collaborators

Authorizes the non-commercial use of extracts and materials for festival promotion

10. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

The festival does not cover travel/accommodation costs but will provide discounts with partner facilities

If fewer than 3 eligible works are received in a category, the section may be canceled (entry fee refunded)

Out-of-competition works must still fully comply with these regulations

11. REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

CIFF reserves the right to exclude or disqualify works in cases of:

- Submissions of works already distributed in any form

- Missing or non-compliant materials

- Unclear, partial, or misleading information in communication and graphics

- Poor or low-quality project graphics and materials

- Content contrary to the law or inciting hatred

- Violent behavior or misconduct towards the festival

- Attempts to influence the jury

- False information provided

- Pre-existing contractual irregularities in the submitted productions. Proof of legal contracts between parties involved in the production may be requested, such as: screenplay rights transfer contract, director’s contract, standard staff/crew agreements, and actor/extras contracts.

12. ACCEPTANCE

Submission to CIFF implies full acceptance of all clauses in these regulations.

13. ACCESS FOR AUDIENCES

Submission to CIFF implies full acceptance of all clauses in these regulations.

For information or inquiries: cittadellafilmfestival@gmail.com