🎬 Cinema de la Plage Film Festival
Catania, Sicilia, Italia

Da oltre dodici anni Cinema de la Plage porta il cinema sulla spiaggia, trasformando il litorale siciliano in un'esperienza culturale unica sotto le stelle.

Nato come una rassegna estiva dedicata ai cortometraggi indipendenti, il progetto è diventato nel tempo uno degli appuntamenti cinematografici più amati della Sicilia orientale, coinvolgendo ogni anno centinaia di spettatori e migliaia di visitatori.

Nel 2026 Cinema de la Plage compie un nuovo passo e si trasforma ufficialmente in un Festival Internazionale del Cortometraggio.

Le proiezioni si svolgono in una suggestiva arena cinematografica all'aperto, direttamente sul mare di Catania, dove il pubblico incontra autori e opere provenienti da tutto il mondo.

Ogni edizione del festival è caratterizzata da un tema annuale che ispira la programmazione culturale e l'assegnazione di un premio speciale dedicato.

🌍 Tema 2026: "Il Sud nel Mondo"

Il tema invita i filmmaker a esplorare il concetto di Sud come luogo geografico, culturale, umano e simbolico. Un Sud che dialoga con il mondo attraverso identità, memoria, appartenenza, migrazione, tradizioni, cambiamenti e nuove prospettive.

Saranno particolarmente apprezzate le opere che interpreteranno questo tema con originalità, sensibilità artistica e forza narrativa.

Tuttavia, il festival è aperto a tutte le visioni cinematografiche: sono ammessi cortometraggi di qualsiasi genere, tema, stile e provenienza.

Accogliamo fiction, documentari, animazione, opere sperimentali, commedie, drammi, thriller e tutte le forme di narrazione audiovisiva contemporanea.

La nostra missione è valorizzare il cinema indipendente, sostenere i nuovi talenti e creare un ponte tra filmmaker e pubblico attraverso un'esperienza culturale autentica e partecipata.

Ogni film selezionato entra a far parte di una comunità che da oltre dodici anni celebra il cinema come esperienza collettiva, accessibile e condivisa.

Vi aspettiamo sulle spiagge della Sicilia per scrivere insieme il prossimo capitolo di questa storia.

🎬 Cinema de la Plage Film Festival
Catania, Sicily, Italy

For more than twelve years, Cinema de la Plage has brought cinema to the beach, transforming the Sicilian coastline into a unique cultural experience under the stars.

Originally created as a summer showcase dedicated to independent short films, the project has grown into one of the most beloved cinematic events in Eastern Sicily, welcoming hundreds of spectators and thousands of visitors every year.

In 2026, Cinema de la Plage takes a major step forward and officially becomes an International Short Film Festival.

Screenings take place in a unique open-air cinema by the sea, where audiences gather to discover films and filmmakers from around the world.

Each edition of the festival is built around an annual theme that inspires the cultural program and a dedicated special award.

🌍 2026 Theme: "The South in the World"

This year's theme invites filmmakers to explore the concept of the South as a geographical, cultural, human, and symbolic space. A South connected to the world through identity, memory, belonging, migration, traditions, transformation, and new perspectives.

Films that approach this theme with originality, artistic vision, and strong storytelling will receive special consideration.

However, the festival remains open to all cinematic voices. Short films of every genre, theme, style, and country of origin are welcome.

We accept narrative films, documentaries, animation, experimental works, comedy, drama, thriller, and all forms of contemporary audiovisual storytelling.

Our mission is to promote independent cinema, support emerging filmmakers, and create a meaningful connection between artists and audiences through an authentic cultural experience.

Every selected film becomes part of a community that has celebrated cinema as a collective and accessible experience for more than twelve years.

Join us on the shores of Sicily and become part of the next chapter of this cinematic journey.

🏆 Awards & Prizes
Each week, the audience and jury will select the best short film of the night, which will advance to the grand finale in August.

During the final event, the following awards will be presented:

🥇 Best Short Film
Awarded to the most powerful, original, or emotionally resonant short of the season.

🎬 Best Director
Recognizing outstanding vision, direction, and storytelling.

✨ Best Performance
For the actor or actress who delivered the most compelling on-screen presence.

🎥 Best Cinematography
For the most visually striking and aesthetically accomplished work.

🎭 Audience Choice Award
Voted live during the final event by our community on the beach.

🏖️ Beach Vibes Award
Special mention for the short film that best captures freedom, playfulness, or the spirit of summer.

Winners will receive official laurels, social media promotion, and will be highlighted during the final Cinema de la Plage Gala Screening on the beach in front of a live audience.

🏆 Cinema de la Plage Award – The South in the World
🏆 Premio Cinema de la Plage – Il Sud nel Mondo

Premio speciale assegnato all'opera che meglio interpreta il tema annuale del festival attraverso originalità, valore artistico e impatto emotivo.

A special award presented to the film that best embodies the annual festival theme through originality, artistic vision, and emotional impact.

All winners will receive official festival laurels, certificates, social media promotion, and public recognition during the festival awards ceremony.

Tutti i vincitori riceveranno allori ufficiali del festival, certificati, promozione sui canali ufficiali e riconoscimento pubblico durante la cerimonia finale.

📜 Rules & Terms
Please read carefully before submitting your short film to Cinema de la Plage.

✅ Eligibility
We accept short films of any genre, with a maximum duration of 20 minutes.

Films must have English or Italian subtitles if not in either language.

Submissions from all countries are welcome.

The film must be original and not subject to any legal dispute.

Multiple submissions are allowed.

📆 Selection Process
Weekly selections will be made by the festival team and/or through public voting.

Selected short films will be screened during weekly beach events.

Weekly winners will advance to the Grand Finale in August 2025.

A jury and the audience will choose the final winners in various categories.

🎥 Screening Rights
By submitting, you authorize Cinema de la Plage to screen your work in a non-commercial, cultural setting (no entry fee for the audience).

You retain all rights to your film.

Selected filmmakers may be contacted for additional promotional use (e.g., stills, trailer clips).

🏆 Awards & Recognition
Final winners will receive official laurels, online promotion, and public recognition during the final gala screening.

No cash prizes are provided at this time.

📩 Communication
All official communication will be made via the FilmFreeway platform or email.

If selected, you will be notified at least 2 weeks before the screening date.