Giffoni Film Festival Announces 2026 Award Winners

The Giffoni Film Festival, the world’s leading youth cinema event held in Campania, Italy, announced the winners of its 2026 edition across several competition sections. In the Elements +6 category the Indonesian short GARUDA – DARE TO DREAM, directed by Ronny Gani, won for its story of a teenage boy with asthma dreaming of joining the national football team. The Elements +10 prize went to Germany’s JUST CALL ME FRIDA, directed by Katja Benrath, which follows a hospitalised boy who meets a personified Death.

Poland’s THE ALTAR BOYS, directed by Piotr Domalewski, received the Generator +13 award for its portrayal of adolescent altar boys confronting social injustice. Estonia‑Lithuania’s MORTEN, by Ivan Pavljutskov, won Generator +15, while the Generator +18 prize was claimed by the German‑Swiss film YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS MR. DROWAK? directed by Nicolas Steiner. The documentary competition Gex Doc was won by ONE IN A MILLION, a German‑produced film about a Syrian girl’s journey from war to exile.

Festival director Jacopo Gubitosi confirmed that the 57th edition will be held from 16 to 24 July 2027, and artistic director Luca Apolito highlighted the symbolic Icarus theme that guided this year’s program. The event also featured director Sydney Sibilia, underscoring the festival’s role as a platform for emerging talent and industry professionals.