Short Film School Fest - Elvira Coda Notari Award 2026

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 20 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱.

Short Film School Fest

ELVIRA NOTARI AWARD 2026
Celebrating 150 years since the birth of the first Italian female director.
Cava de’ Tirreni, Italy, October, 2026

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT
The Short Film School Fest is an international short film competition organized by the Association “Nessuno e Centomila.” The competition is open to students from Italian lower and upper secondary schools, international students aged 12 to 19, and emerging Italian and international filmmakers of legal age. The aim is to promote the use of audiovisual language as an educational and creative tool, offering visibility to student productions and new directors.
1. OBJECTIVES
Encourage active participation of students in teaching and learning processes through audiovisual production.
Promote the teaching of audiovisual language as an integral part of the school curriculum.
Provide visibility to the works of Italian and international students and emerging filmmakers.
Create a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration among students, teachers, directors, and audiovisual industry professionals.
Recognize and value emerging creativity and talent through cinematic language.
2. PARTICIPATION CATEGORIES
Middle School (only for Italian schools)
High Schools (only for Italian schools)
International Schools (students aged 12 to 19)
Emerging Filmmakers (adult Italian and international directors who have created their first audiovisual works)
3. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Students
Students from Italian lower and upper secondary schools and international schools aged 12 to 19.
Each school may submit up to 3 short films per category.
3.2 Emerging Filmmakers
Open to adult Italian and international filmmakers who have created their first audiovisual works.
Directors who have already directed feature films are not eligible.
3.3 Works
Short films must be original, with a maximum duration of 20 minutes, in digital format.
Short films may be created using any equipment, provided that audio and video quality are adequate.
Works in any language are accepted, but they must include subtitles in Italian.
4. PARTICIPATION PROCESS
Registration: Interested parties must register by April 30, 2026.
Schools must register through the official festival website at www.shortfilmschoolfest.com, while emerging filmmakers must submit their registration exclusively via the FilmFreeway platform.
Schools may send the video file via WeTransfer to segreteria@shortfilmschoolfest.com

5. FORMAT AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Duration: Maximum of 20 minutes (including opening and closing credits).
Video format: MP4, with a minimum resolution of 720×480 pixels; a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels is preferred.
Permissions: Works must include authorizations for the use of images and soundtracks that are public domain or copyright-protected.
6. SELECTION AND JURY
6.1 Selection
The works will be evaluated by a team of audiovisual experts.
It is not possible to request specific evaluations from individual jurors.
6.2 Judging Panel
The jury will consist of 11 members, including directors, curators, teachers, researchers, and other audiovisual professionals. Each member will evaluate short films based on the following criteria:
Best Direction: Creativity and management of actors and scenes.
Best Editing: Quality and fluidity of editing.
Best Screenplay: Dramatic structure, originality, and dialogue construction.
Best Actor/Actress: Acting skills and character development.
Best Short Film by category: Awarded for the use of audiovisual language.
Audience Award: Favorite short film as voted by the audience present at the event.
7. AWARDS
The following awards will be given for each of the 4 categories (lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, international schools, and emerging filmmakers):
Best Short Film
Best Direction
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Actor/Actress
Audience Award
Winners will receive trophies and certificates of recognition.
8. COMPETITION PROGRAM
1°day, Screening of finalist short films
Lower Secondary School category.
2° Screening of finalist short films
Upper Secondary School category.
3° Screening of finalist short films
International Schools and Emerging Filmmakers
categories.
4° Award ceremony and screening of winning short films.
A detailed program will be published on the website.
9. PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS
Students who are relatives of members of the Organizing Committee, sponsors, or judges are not allowed to participate. Relatives are defined as spouses, partners, direct or collateral relatives up to the second degree. This restriction also applies to same-sex relationships.
10. DISPUTES
Any disputes or clarification requests must be submitted to the Organizing Committee within three working days after the contest’s conclusion via email at segreteria@shortfilmschoolfest.com.
11. PARTICIPATION
Participation in the contest requires a $15 entry fee.

Cultural Association “Nessuno e Centomila”
Piazza Gaetano Avigliano, 10
84013 Cava de' Tirreni (SA)
Italy

Vgen Service srl
Viale degli Aceri, 2
84013 Cava de'Tirreni (SA)