Baarìa Film Festival (2)

Festival start: 22 June 2026      Festival end: 27 June 2026

BAARIA FILM FESTIVAL is an international film festival focused on island cinematography of the world, showing the cultural diversity of island territories through cinema. This event is unique in its theme, in Italy, being the first film festival in the country that programs exclusively island cinema.

A great deal of space, of course, is devoted to Sicily, comparing it to other island territories, always using cinema as a means to explore and reveal the beauty and deep identity of the region.

There are two competitive sections: “Maree”, dedicated to national and international feature films, and “Approdi”, aimed at national and international short films by emerging filmmakers. Other films may be included out of competition.

Awards will include a “Best Feature Film” prize and a “Best Performer” award (male or female), along with an Audience Award chosen by high school students. A prize for the best short film is also planned.

A special award, “Sicilian of the Year”, will be presented by the Baarìa Film Festival to a director or actor who has stood out in a Sicilian-themed film.

1. Purpose of the Festival

The BAARIA FILM FESTIVAL aims to promote cinematic storytelling of the insular condition at both national and international levels, with a particular focus on Sicily, providing a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers. It also seeks to foster intercultural dialogue, offer insights on ecological issues, and enhance the cultural and scenic heritage of Sicily, using cinema as a medium for storytelling, exploration, and artistic expression.

2. Participation Requirements

a. Eligibility of Films in Competition
Only feature films and short films produced in Sicily or other islands worldwide, or addressing themes related to insularity, may participate. Films can belong to any genre (e.g., drama, comedy, documentary), but must meet the following criteria:

Completed after June 1, 2024;
Have not had any form of commercial distribution in Italy or online release;
Submitted in professional DCP format.

b. Film duration
Unless otherwise justified by the intrinsic value of the work, feature films must have a minimum duration of 75 minutes, while short films must not exceed 20 minutes.

c. language and subtitles
Films will be presented in their original language with Italian subtitles.
Films in Italian must also include subtitles.

3. Registration

a. How to Register
Registrations must be completed online via the platform festhome.com at
https://festhome.com/festival/baaria-filmfestival
The registration deadline is May 16, 2026.

b. Required Documentation

Completed registration form.
Link to the full film (preferably on password-protected streaming platforms).
Film synopsis, director’s biography, and filmography — in Italian for Italian films, and in english for foreign films. If an Italian film is selected, an english synopsis must also be provided.
Stills, poster, and trailer of the film.

c. Registration Fees
No registration fee is required for each film submitted to the festival selection.

4. Selection

a. Selection Committee
The Artistic Direction of the Baarìa Film Festival will review submitted works and select those to be included in the festival program, reserving the right to invite other films that, although not submitted, meet the required criteria regarding theme and quality.

b. Notification of Selection
Selection results will be communicated to participants via email by May 10, 2026. If participants have not been contacted by this date, the submitted film will be considered not accepted.

5. Festival Program

a. Structure
The BAARFF program will consist of:

A main feature film section called “Maree,” competitive and international;
A short film section called “Approdi,” competitive and international;
A program for outdoor screenings called “Serate in Villa,” featuring highlighted films and tributes;
On the final evening, the best films from the “Maree” and “Approdi” sections, as determined by the official jury, will be re-screened.

b. Screenings
Selected films will be screened during the day in a dedicated cinema and/or in evening outdoor screenings.
Each film will have at least one public screening.
Screenings are free and open to the public.

c. Side Events
In addition to feature and short film screenings, the program includes:

Masterclasses and workshops: sessions led by renowned directors, screenwriters, and actors sharing their experiences and techniques, highlighting the specifics of insular film production.
Discussion panels: roundtables bringing together industry experts and scholars to discuss relevant topics, such as cultural identity, sustainability, and cinema’s role in preserving island traditions.
Cultural events: concerts, artistic performances, book presentations, and photo exhibitions reflecting Sicilian and other island cultures, creating a festive atmosphere and promoting cultural exchange.
Live interviews with guests: audiences can attend close-up meetings with directors, actors, and other guests in Bagheria during the festival.

6. awards and Juries
The Baarìa Film Festival culminates in an awards ceremony recognizing the best films and emerging talents in insular cinema, with categories dedicated to Sicily and other islands.

a. awards
An International Jury, composed of cinema and cultural personalities from different countries (excluding those involved in the creation or distribution of the invited works), will award the following prizes for feature films (“Maree” section):

Mostro for Best Film
Mostro for Best Performance (male or female)

Other awards and special mentions may be given at the jury’s discretion.

A jury of high school students will award:

Student Award

The Festival Direction will award a director or actor/actress (not necessarily Sicilian) who has stood out in a recent film set in Sicily or portraying a Sicilian character:

“Sikelòs” Award

For short films (“Approdi” section), the following awards will be given:

Mostro for Best Short Film
Mostro for Best Sicilian Film

Ex aequo awards are not allowed in any section.

b. Jury Composition
The juries for the “Maree” and “Approdi” sections will consist of at least 3 established professionals in the film industry, such as filmmakers or critics.
The Audience Award jury will be composed of 20 high school students from the Municipality of Bagheria, coordinated by a tutor appointed by the Artistic Direction.
The juries’ decisions are final.

7. Rights and Responsibilities

a. Screening Rights
Participants guarantee they hold all rights necessary for the screening of their film during the BAARFF.

b. Promotion
Participants authorize the use of excerpts from the film (up to 3 minutes) and any promotional materials provided for the promotion of the Baarìa FF.

c. Responsibility
The Baarìa FF is not responsible for any loss or damage to film copies submitted for selection or screening.

8. Acceptance of the Regulations
Submission to the Baarìa FF implies full acceptance of these regulations.
The Festival Direction reserves the right, for valid cultural, organizational, or promotional reasons, to make changes to the regulations, provided they do not alter the purpose outlined in Article 1. Any disputes will be resolved according to Italian law and the jurisdiction of Palermo.

9. Contacts
For further information, contact: [info@baariafilmfestival.com](mailto:info@baariafilmfestival.com)