Italian film festivals 2026

In July 2026 the Messina International Film Festival returned to its historic venue after a 71‑year hiatus, running from 26 July to 1 August. The opening night honored the late cultural figure Ninni Panzera with a posthumous award, and featured guests such as director Giuseppe Tornatore and Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa. The program included a competition, Italian shorts, and thematic sections on Palestine and Iran, along with masterclasses on television series and women’s rights in cinema.

Later in August, organizers announced the line‑up for two other Italian festivals in 2026. The fifth edition of the PM Film Festival will be held on 16‑17 May in Partinico, Sicily, with a jury chaired by Alessandro Caiuli and a roster of local actors and filmmakers. The 45th Giornate del Cinema Muto is scheduled for 3‑10 October in Pordenone, Friuli‑Venezia Giulia, opening with a restored silent film *Don X* and presenting a Weimar‑era retrospective accompanied by live music from the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra.

Together, these announcements illustrate a vibrant season of Italian film events in 2026, ranging from the revival of a historic festival to new editions of regional showcases and silent‑film retrospectives.