The Figari International Short Film Fest returns from June 15th to 20th.

Golfo Aranci is preparing to host the Figari International Short Film Fest. Now in its 16th edition, the event dedicated to short films will take place in the beautiful Gallura village from June 15th to 20th with free screenings under the stars, special awards, industry talks, and the Short Film Market.

This year's guests of honor are Irene Maiorino, Federico Cesari, Andrea Bosca, Francesco Gheghi, and UfoZero2. The program focuses on the best of national and international short film production, including fiction, animation, regional cinema, and special sections dedicated to new perspectives and contemporary languages.

The competition features short films selected after extensive and rigorous screening, with over 2,000 films from over 40 countries. Among the titles in competition are the short film directed by Andrea Arcangeli, one of the most interesting actors of his generation, known to the general public for his starring role in "Il Divin Codino," a Netflix film dedicated to Roberto Baggio, and for his role in "Il muto di Gallura," and the latest film by Jacopo Cullin. A jury composed of leading figures in the film industry will judge the films: among the initial confirmed names are Andrea Bosca, Federico Cesari, and Irene Maiorino.

As for the awards, the Beatrice Bracco – recognition that the Figari Film Fest dedicates to the Italian performers who have most distinguished themselves in the past year – will be awarded to Irene Maiorino and Francesco Gheghi, and the Guglielmo Marconi Award to UfoZero2, one of the most recognisable creative projects in new Italian digital communication.

From June 19th to 20th, the Figari International Short Film Market, the festival's industry section, organized by the Diero Cultural Association, will take place in Golfo Aranci. The market will bring together Italian and international producers, distributors, buyers, festival programmers, broadcasters, platforms, and audiovisual professionals. A key aspect of the 2026 edition will be the strengthening of industry partnerships with France TV, Rai Cinema, and WeShort, key players in the promotion, acquisition, distribution, and circulation of short films.

"Reaching its sixteenth edition confirms a vision born many years ago: to bring short films to Sardinia not as a simple festival, but as a cultural, professional, and human experience," says Matteo Pianezzi, director and founder of the Figari International Short Film Fest. "The Figari has grown alongside the region and is now a meeting place for audiences, authors, actors, producers, broadcasters, distributors, and international festivals. In a challenging time for cinema and cultural organizations in Italy, continuing to build a free, accessible, and high-quality space is a responsibility for us, but also an act of faith in the future."

The evening screenings, free and open to the public until capacity is reached, will take place at 9:00 p.m. The opening night on June 15th will take place at Cala Sassari, while on June 16th the festival will move to Cala Moresca. Starting June 17th, screenings will continue on the Golfo Aranci seafront; finally, the professional activities of the Figari International Short Film Market will take place at Villa Sospiri.