"UFF — Underground Film Festival" is a project conceived by directors Simone Grazzi and Jacopo Bucciantini, born from a bold vision: to champion independent, auteur-driven cinema and to build a vibrant meeting point for filmmakers, producers, and film lovers from every corner of Italy and the world.

Film festivals usually fall into two camps: some are high-profile showcases where insiders get the first look at new releases, attracting jet-setting industry professionals from around the globe. Others are grassroots gatherings meant to offer local communities a taste of cinema’s magic. But in both cases, the spotlight often ends up on big-budget productions — because they bring in the crowds, and the cash.

Yet, away from the red carpets and glossy premieres, there's a whole world of cinema thriving in the shadows — raw, rebellious, and wildly creative. Underground cinema lives on the edge, powered by tiny budgets and boundless imagination. It speaks directly to a passionate audience that’s scattered far and wide, hungry for something real. Sadly, this world is rarely given a stage — not because it lacks merit, but because it doesn't promise mass appeal.

But things are changing.

Genres once dismissed as “B-movies” are now being rediscovered and reimagined as artistic statements. Some of these so-called fringe films have smashed expectations, becoming surprise hits despite their humble origins. It’s a clear signal: there’s a growing audience out there, savvy and curious, eager to uncover new voices and stories — and craving places where those discoveries can happen together.

"UFF — Underground Film Festival" was created to answer that call. To carve out space for the raw, the risky, and the visionary. To bring people together around films that challenge, excite, and inspire. In a cultural landscape that’s starting to overflow, UFF steps in not to compete with the mainstream — but to light up the underground.

Awards & Prizes

- Best videoart
- Best experimental short film
- Best horror short film
- Best erotic short film
- Best sci-fi short film
- Best surreal short film
- Best AI short film
- Best comedy short film
- Best feature film

Rules & Terms

1. FESTIVAL SECTIONS

Accepted Short Film Genres:

Videoart (only short films), experimental, horror, sci-fi, surreal, erotic and comedy (both short and feature) - international competition

2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The competition is open to artists and production companies submitting short and feature films created in digital format. Submissions must be received no later than October 1st, 2026. Films may be submitted online via the FilmFreeway platform.

There are no duration limits or restrictions regarding the production date of submitted films. Each participant may submit only one film per competition category.

3. SELECTION & AWARDS

Selected participants will be notified of their film's selection by October 16, 2026.

Once the official selection notice has been received, each author must submit the following materials within 7 days (submissions received after this deadline will be considered for the following edition):
- A signed copy of the festival regulations
- The technical sheet (available at the end of the regulations)
- A press kit including:
i) at least 3 stills from the film a photo of the director;
ii) a synopsis of the film;
iii) a short biography of the director;
iv) copy of the film with the following technical specifications:
a) File format: QuickTime .mov (Apple ProRes or h264), bitrate minimum 25 Mbps
b) Resolution: Full HD or higher
c) Frame rate: 30 / 25 / 24 fps
d) Audio: Stereo, 44100 Hz or higher

Those films must not include subtitles, unless the subtitles are clearly an integral part of the artistic work.

Films in a foreign language must include Italian subtitles. Alternatively, a subtitle file (in .srt format) with accurate timecodes must be submitted, in Italian or English.

Files may be sent via FilmFreeway (with download enabled), via FTP (provided by the artist or production company), or through a file-sharing platform such as: Swisstransfer, Wetransfer, Yousendit, Mediafire, Dropbox, etc. to:

selezioni [at] undergroundfilmfestival [dot] it

If the required documents or a compliant version of the film are not provided, the festival team will request a prompt integration. If the required material is not received in a timely manner, the film may be excluded from the festival program.

A committee appointed by the festival's artistic directors will review all entries. Selected films will be announced via FilmFreeway or directly by email. The jury will also assign awards for each category listed in Article 1.

4. GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

Each participant is solely responsible for the content of their film. The festival organizers and juries shall not be held liable in any case.

The final decision regarding screening dates and venues lies solely with the festival’s artistic direction.

Screenings will take place in October 2026 (exact dates to be communicated by email), in Lucignano (52046, Italy).

Winners should attend the awards ceremony, or designate a representative. Any absence without prior agreement with the organizers may result in the award being reassigned to the runner-up, at the jury’s discretion.

By submitting your film, you accept these regulations.

The author or the production company authorizes the festival and its partners to publish information about their work, including the content of the submitted press kit, in the official catalog, in print or online media, and on social media.

The author or production company also grants permission for the festival and its partners to screen excerpts (up to 3 minutes) of the submitted work in other festivals, TV programs, or online platforms (websites and social networks) under the artistic direction of "UFF Underground Film Festival", without any compensation.

The author prohibits the use of their work in contexts that could compromise their personal dignity, releasing the festival and its partners from any liability in case of misuse by third parties.

Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these regulations.

All data provided to the festival will be used solely for organizational and administrative purposes, in accordance with legal obligations (DL/196/2003 and EU GDPR 2016/679).

In the event of disputes, the parties agree to seek an amicable resolution. If no agreement is reached, any legal action will fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Arezzo (Italy).
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Estelle Cortet

    Great festival, I was not able to join in person but the communication was great. I would definitely recommend this festival if you want your film to be shown in a small but fine place.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Estelle, for your review! Our edition un October will be held in Rosini Theatre in Lucignano, hence a much bigger venue. We'll be honored to screen you film again for that event!

  • andrea moneta

    interesting young festival! It is going to be bigger

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Andrea and thanks for your review. Please let us know how we can improve our communication, in particular, and the other features. We tried our best to communicate our program and happenings through e-mails and social medias day after day and we replied as soon as possibile to everybody. We did not find any interaction with your accounts, hence, if we did miss something we are deeply sorry. Thank you.

  • Leonardo Valenti

    Great value. I loved everything about the festival: organization, communication, focus, networking. Moreover, the venue is amazing. I strongly recommend this festival.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Leonardo. Your opinion is truly meaningful for us!