RULES AND REGULATIONS
SILOE FILM FESTIVAL 2026 - CALL FOR ENTRIES
ARTICLE 1 – ORGANIZATION
The "SILOE FILM FESTIVAL" is conceived and organized by the Monastic Community of Siloe, Poggi del Sasso, Grosseto (Italy). In line with its mission and its perspective on youth, from this year it is also promoted and supported by the “Rete Mare Nostrum” and the “Youth Council of the Mediterranean.” Rete Mare Nostrum is a network of associations inspired by the thinking of Giorgio La Pira, a promoter of Mediterranean dialogue: Fondazione Giorgio La Pira, Centro Internazionale Studenti Giorgio La Pira, Opera per la gioventù Giorgio La Pira, Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II.
The Organizing Committee is composed of: Maurizio Certini, Gabriele Pecchioli, Francesco Lalli, Claudio Grisanti, Damiano Bettoni.
The Artistic Direction is entrusted to Federico Pontiggia.
The organizational secretariat is managed by Antonio Vaiano and Giulia Lucchini in coordination with the secretariat of the Youth Council of the Mediterranean, Tina Hamalaya.
The tenth edition will be held on July 23–24, 2026 at the Monastery of SILOE, Strada San Benedetto 1, Poggi del Sasso, Grosseto (Italy) www.monasterodisiloe.it, with the award ceremony on Friday, July 24, 2026, in the presence of the Youth Council of the Mediterranean.
ARTICLE 2 – OBJECTIVES AND THEMES
General themes of the festival:
CARE FOR CREATION TO NURTURE LIFE, YOUTH AS THE LIVING HOPE OF THE WORLD
TO CARE: to watch over, protect, preserve, and care. A caretaker is not a guard. A caretaker cares, preserves from dangers, provides for needs; a caretaker loves and gives of themselves to foster life in all its forms. Pope Francis has repeatedly reminded us that "the vocation to care for creation does not concern only Christians, because it has a dimension that is simply human; it concerns everyone. It is about caring for all creation, the beauty of creation, as told in the Book of Genesis... it is about respecting every creature of God and the environment in which we live."
Moreover, his first homily's appeal to all people of goodwill still resonates: "Please... let us be 'caretakers' of creation, of God’s design inscribed in nature, caretakers of others, of the environment." A caretaker is entrusted with the task of "observing reality"... which presupposes the ability to see and recognize the mystery of life and the beauty that the Creator has mysteriously "hidden" in reality.
"It is necessary to adopt a genuine change in mindset that leads us to new lifestyles" (Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, no. 51), where the search for truth, beauty, and goodness and communion with others for collective growth in harmony with creation guide our behavioral choices.
Making Hope a programmatic element, guided by the thought of Giorgio La Pira:
"Why not hope? Should we not hope for peace in this great human family, the family of God, our common Heavenly Father? Created by Him, loved by Him, redeemed by Him, destined for eternity. Hope is, in a way, an adventure and a risk: but does the farmer stop sowing for fear of losing the seed? There is faith in his act of sowing: faith in the mystery of creation and love that the earth harbors." (G. La Pira, 1955)
ARTICLE 3 – THEME OF THE 2026 EDITION
MEDITERRANEAN HOPE, A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
Mediterranean of hope, a bridge between the shores
ARTICLE 4 – PARTICIPATION
Participation in the competition is open and free of charge.
Only works produced between 2020 and 2026, of any nationality and language, are eligible.
Short films (fiction and animation) with a maximum duration of 30 minutes may be submitted.
ARTICLE 5 – SELECTION, SELECTED WORKS, AND AWARDS
The Artistic Director, in synergy with the Monastic Community of Siloe and the Organizing Committee, will select 8 works. During the Festival days, the selected works will be screened. The juries will include: the Committee and the Monastic Community; and the Youth Council of the Mediterranean.
The following awards will be given:
1. Best Work
2. Mediterranean Laurel
The two winning films will receive an original artistic work created for the occasion, linked to the Rete Mare Nostrum, the Youth Council of the Mediterranean, and the Monastic Community of Siloe, reflecting the theme of the Siloe Film Festival edition and/or the foundational themes of the Council and the Monastic Community.
ARTICLE 6 – HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To enter the contest, the following actions must be completed by June 15, 2026. The selected titles will be announced by July 5, 2026 on the Festival website:
• Complete the participation form found on the "Competition" page at
www.siloefilmfestival.it.
• Upload the proposed work via WeTransfer and send the link to:
segreteria@siloefilmfestival.it
• Send 2 images of the work and/or its poster to: segreteria@siloefilmfestival.it
• Send a trailer of the work (maximum duration 1 minute, mp4 16:9, web-friendly size) to: segreteria@siloefilmfestival.it
The Festival Direction is not responsible for delays, inaccuracies, or damage to submitted files.
ARTICLE 7 – IMAGE USE AND RIGHTS
Texts and images may be used for publication in the catalog, on the Festival website, and by media in relation to Festival activities.
By participating, copyright holders authorize, for promotional purposes only, the free inclusion of short clips up to three minutes in TV news, programs, and online.
ARTICLE 8 – ARCHIVING WORKS
Submitted films will become part of the Festival’s historical archive, established for cultural and educational purposes, housed at: Monastic Community of Siloe, Monastery of the Incarnation.
ARTICLE 9 – ADMISSION AND OPERATIONAL PHASES
Admission is final and unquestionable by the Festival Selection Committee.
The Festival Secretariat will inform the responsible parties of selected works.
Selected authors may bring a MASTER version for higher-quality screening.
Works not in Italian must include Italian subtitles; alternatively, English subtitles with an English dialogue list and, if possible, Italian translation with time stamps.
ARTICLE 10 – FREE USE OF IMAGES
No rental fees may be requested for screenings of selected films. Submission and potential award participation is completely free.
ARTICLE 11 – WINNERS
Winners will be announced at the Monastery of Siloe on July 24, 2026. Official awards will be handed out during the ceremony or may be collected at the Festival’s headquarters at the winner’s expense.
ARTICLE 12 – OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY
Producers, distributors, or other submitters must ensure they are authorized to enter the film.
Each author or producer is responsible for their work’s content and declares, upon registration, that they have fulfilled all copyright obligations toward third parties.
ARTICLE 13 – HOSPITALITY FOR SELECTED FILMS
One representative (director, producer, or lead actor/actress) from each selected film will be provided with meals and accommodation on the day of the screening, including shuttle service from Grosseto railway station and/or Pisa airport to the Festival venue (Monastery of Siloe).
Representatives may also be invited to participate in workshops or debates on the Festival’s theme.
By registering, participants accept all terms and conditions outlined in this regulation.
Personal data will be handled according to Italian Privacy Law (Decree 30/06/2003 n.196) and subsequent amendments.
The Organizing Committee of the Siloe Film Festival
