Corti a Corte (3)

Festival start: 16 July 2027      Festival end: 18 July 2027

Corti a Corte was born from a question: what can truly engage an audience increasingly accustomed to streaming platforms and small-screen viewing?

Our answer is a festival conceived as a cinematic salon, bringing the collective experience of cinema back to the centre.

After each short film is screened on the big screen, the audience meets filmmakers and film professionals, taking part in a direct conversation about the works, their cinematic language and the themes they explore.

Corti a Corte is a non-competitive event.

It is a space for encounter and exchange, where short films become the starting point for sharing ideas, experiences and new perspectives.

The three works selected through this open call will receive the official recognition “Corti a Corte 2027 Official Selection” and will be screened on the big screen.

Selected filmmakers will be required to attend the presentation of their works and take part in a public conversation with film professionals and experts. These meetings are conceived as an opportunity for dialogue, in-depth discussion and professional development for emerging filmmakers.

Corti a Corte is a non-competitive event. No prizes, rankings or winners are awarded.

The three works selected through this open call will receive the official recognition:

“Corti a Corte 2027 Official Selection”
and will be screened on the big screen as part of the festival programme.

Selected filmmakers will take part in the presentation of their works and in a public conversation with film professionals and experts.

Should Corti a Corte receive funding through the SIAE “Per Chi Crea” 2026 programme, each selected filmmaker will receive a specific artistic fee for their participation in the event. This fee does not constitute a prize and is subject to the granting of funding and the subsequent formalisation of the professional engagement.

1. PURPOSE OF THE OPEN CALL

Corti a Corte is launching a national open call for the curatorial selection of three short films to be included in the next edition of the festival.

The complete programme will consist of four works: three selected through this open call and one previously selected by the Artistic Direction.

Corti a Corte is a non-competitive event: there are no rankings, juries, prizes or winners. The selection process is aimed at creating a programme consistent with the cultural identity of the initiative.

2. FILMMAKER ELIGIBILITY
The call is open to filmmakers under the age of 35 who meet the eligibility requirements established by the SIAE “Per Chi Crea” 2026 programme.

As of 29 October 2026, the filmmaker indicated in the application must not yet have turned 36 and must meet one of the following conditions:

– be resident in Italy, regardless of citizenship;

– be an Italian citizen residing abroad.
If the work has been created by more than one person, the application must clearly identify the under-35 filmmaker proposed as the artistic professional participating in the festival.


3. ELIGIBLE WORKS

Original short films of fiction, documentary, animation or hybrid form are eligible, with a maximum running time of 15 minutes.

Works must be completed and available for public screening on the big screen. They must also be free from any restrictions that would prevent their presentation as part of the festival.

The person submitting the work declares that they hold, either directly or through the necessary authorisations, all rights required for submission and for the potential public screening of the short film. Works substantially created using generative AI tools are not eligible.


4. SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

Submission is free of charge and must be completed through Festhome by 5 October 2026 at 11:59 PM (Italian time).

The application must include:

– a working link to view the complete film;
– password, if required;
– synopsis;
– running time and year of production;
– artistic and technical credits;
– biography of the under-35 filmmaker;
– up-to-date contact details;
– declaration concerning the ownership or authorised use of the necessary rights;
– confirmation of availability to attend the public event.

Incomplete applications, applications received after the deadline or applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements may be excluded.


5. SELECTION CRITERIA

The Artistic Direction will assess the works according to:

– artistic quality and originality;
– strength of writing and directing;
– relevance of the themes explored;
– the work’s ability to generate discussion with the audience;
– consistency with the identity of Corti a Corte;
– complementarity with the other short films included in the programme.

The selection is curatorial and final. No public scores or rankings will be issued.


6. NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION

Selected filmmakers will be contacted directly using the contact details provided in their application.

If selected, applicants will be required to provide, by the deadline communicated by the organisation:

– identity document;
– declaration confirming age and residency requirements;
– original file of the short film in the required technical format;
– photographic and promotional materials;
– authorisation for public screening;
– information required to formalise the professional engagement and artistic fee.

Failure to respond or inability to provide the required documentation may result in the replacement of the selected work.


7. PARTICIPATION IN THE FESTIVAL

Corti a Corte is based on direct interaction between audiences and filmmakers. Selected filmmakers must therefore guarantee, except in circumstances agreed upon with the organisation, their personal attendance at the presentation of their work and the conversation following the screening.

The date, venue and participation arrangements will be communicated at a later stage.

The attendance of the under-35 filmmaker identified in the application is mandatory and constitutes an essential condition of selection.

Corti a Corte goes beyond the screening itself: after each film is shown on the big screen, the work is explored through a public conversation involving its filmmaker together with film professionals and experts.

The meeting is primarily conceived for the selected filmmakers, providing them with an opportunity for professional discussion about their work, artistic choices and the future development of both the project and their professional path.

By submitting an application, the filmmaker confirms their availability to attend the festival in person on the date and at the venue subsequently communicated by the organisation.

Failure to guarantee attendance may result in the withdrawal of the selection and replacement of the work with another shortlisted film.


8. ARTISTIC FEE AND FUNDING CONDITION

The organisation of the event, the screening of the selected works and the payment of artistic fees to the selected filmmakers are subject to Corti a Corte obtaining funding through the SIAE “Per Chi Crea” 2026 programme.

If funding is granted, the participation of each selected artistic professional will be formalised through a specific professional engagement and corresponding fee, in accordance with the approved project.

Until funding is confirmed and the subsequent engagement is formalised, selection does not constitute a definitive financial commitment on the part of the organisation.


9. RIGHTS AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

All rights to the submitted works remain with their respective rights holders.
By accepting the selection, the rights holders authorise MAMAIENA to screen the short film as part of Corti a Corte and to use trailers, stills, posters, photographs, synopses and short excerpts free of charge exclusively for the communication and promotion of the festival.

Any further use will require specific authorisation.


10. ACCEPTANCE

Submission of an application constitutes full acknowledgement and acceptance of these rules and conditions.

For information: info@festivalcortiacorte.it