First held in Bellinzona, Switzerland, in 1988, “Castellinaria - International Young Film Festival” is a cinematographic event dedicated to showcasing films that address issues relevant to children, adolescents and young adults, in an attempt to encourage the production, making and distribution of good quality films.

Particular attention is paid to films of artistic, educational and humanitarian value, with the goal of fostering knowledge and understanding between people and cultures.
Particular importance is given to the active participation of schools and educational institutions.

Most of the juries are made up of young people, some are made up of industry professionals and there are also audience awards.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS & PRIZES
The three competitive categories are:

KIDS COMPETITION
Showcasing feature-length films from around the world with a running time of at least 60 minutes, suitable for children and young audiences aged 6 to 15.

Awards:
- Castello d'oro Award: CHF 3,000
- Castello d'argento Award: CHF 2,000
- Castello di bronzo Award: CHF 1,000
- Fuori le mura Award: offered by the Conférence Intercantonale de l’instruction Publique de la Suisse Romande et du Tessin to support the distribution of a film subtitled in French (awarded by the official “Fuori le Mura” Kids Jury in Porrentruy).
- ECFA Award: the winning film will take part in the final European selection among all films awarded by ECFA juries (presented by the ECFA Jury).
- ASPI Award: presented to the film that best embodies the child’s right to respect.
- UNICEF Award: presented to the film that best represents children’s rights.

YOUNG COMPETITION
Showcasing feature-length films from around the world with a running time of at least 60 minutes, intended for audiences aged 16 and over.

Awards:
- Tre Castelli Award: CHF 3,000
- Ambiente è qualità di vita Award: CHF 1,000
- Utopia Award: a one-week creative residency at Monte Verità in Ascona for the director of the film that most powerfully conveys the spirit of utopia and values such as discovery, inner exploration, dreams, courage, solidarity, justice and beauty.
- Crescere insieme Award: CHF 1,000

CASTELLINCORTO - SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Castellincorto is the Festival’s short film competition. It showcases short films made within film schools as well as works addressing themes related to childhood, children’s rights or coming of age.

Awards:
- Jury Award “Daniel”: 1,500 CHF
- Audience Award: 500 CHF
- Oltre le sbarre Award: Special Mention awarded by a jury composed of incarcerated persons.

Rules & Terms

OFFICIAL FEATURE-LENGTH Films FILM SELECTION (Kids, Young and Out of Competition) 2026

Art. 1 – Feature films of any genre, including fiction, documentary and animation, with a running time exceeding 60 minutes are eligible, provided they reflect the spirit and mission of Castellinaria (see About section) or address themes related to children's rights or coming of age. Only films completed after January 1st 2025 will be accepted. Exceptions may be made at the Festival’s discretion.
Art. 2 – Submitted feature films may be selected for the Kids Competition, the Young Competition, or the Out of Competition section. The Festival reserves the right to determine the section in which a selected film will be screened.
Art. 3 – To submit a feature film, please use the FilmFreeway platform from April 1st 2026 until August 17th 2026.
Art. 4 – Documentation submitted to the Festival by mail will not be returned.
Art. 5 – The director, the distributor and all co-producers of the selected feature film authorize the Festival to screen the film during Castellinaria.
Art. 6 – Only fully completed submissions will be considered for pre-selection.
Art. 7 – By submitting the film, you agree that excerpts from your work (up to 7 seconds) may be used by the Festival to promote the event (e.g. in festival trailers) and may be published online on the Festival’s official website and/or on social media channels.

COMPETITION CASTELLINCORTO 2026 - RULES

Art. 1 – Castellincorto is a competition reserved to short films directed by students from audiovisual/film schools and enrolled for the current or the preceding academic year, and short films whose subject is children's rights or coming of age. Only films finished after January 1st 2025 will be accepted. Exceptions can be made.

Art. 2 – All short films conforming to Art. 1, made within the framework of a film school, or whose subject is children's rights or coming of age, are eligible.

Art. 3 – The maximum length is 15 minutes (including titles and credits). However, the Festival is free to select longer short films.

Art. 4 – T o submit a short film, please use the platform FilmFreeway from the 1st of April 2026 until the 14th of September 2026.

Art. 5 – If the film director is a student is required to send a copy of his/her current Student ID card or a proof of school attendance by e-mail to castellincorto@castellinaria.ch.

Art. 6 – Documentation submitted to the Festival by mail will not be returned.

Art. 7 – The director, the distributor and all the co-producers of the selected short film, allow the Festival to screen the film in Castellinaria's Castellincorto competition. Castellinaria avails itself of the right to screen the selected short film at the Mercato coperto in Giubiasco (Bellinzona) and also online on the platform chosen by the Festival, geo-blocking the film to Swiss territory for a limited number of viewers, who will access the film in a protected way with a code or accreditation.

Art. 8 – Only fully completed submissions are accepted for pre-selection.

Art. 9 – By submitting the short film you accept that part of your work (7 seconds max.) will might be used by the Festival to promote the event (e.g. in a trailer of the short films program) and that it can be published online on the Festival’s official website and/or on social media.