The first edition of Italy Short Film Days Berlin, the festival created by TaxiDrivers, successfully took place in Berlin from June 4 to June 7, 2026, across three independent cinemas in the German capital: Lichtblick Kino, IL KINO and ACUD Kino.
The festival was conceived to celebrate the 20th anniversary of TaxiDrivers, the Italian film criticism magazine, and came to life through four days of screenings dedicated entirely to contemporary Italian short films. All films presented during the festival were made in Italy, with the aim of promoting short-form cinema and strengthening networking opportunities for Italian filmmakers within the international and dynamic cultural landscape of Berlin.
Italy Short Film Days Berlin established itself as a meeting point between independent filmmakers and audiences, providing a concrete opportunity to bring Italian short cinema beyond national borders and into dialogue with a city that has long been recognized for its openness to cinematic experimentation and artistic research.
The festival featured several competitive sections and awarded prizes in the categories of Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.
The awards were assigned by two different juries. The TaxiDrivers Academy, composed of members of the magazine’s editorial team, selected the winners of Best Film, Best Actor and Best Actress, while a local jury made up of Italian filmmakers based in Berlin awarded the prize for Best Director.
Before and after the screenings, audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals gathered during aperitifs, receptions and informal networking events, creating an authentic environment for cultural exchange, professional dialogue and new collaborations. These moments became one of the festival’s most appreciated features and contributed significantly to the welcoming and participatory atmosphere of the event.
Throughout the four-day festival, audiences had the opportunity not only to discover a diverse selection of contemporary Italian short films, but also to engage directly with directors, actors, producers and creative teams through Q&A sessions and post-screening discussions.
Among the festival’s distinguished guests were actors Sara Serraiocco, Carlotta Gamba, Antonio Bannò and Giovanni Crozza Signoris, whose presence further strengthened the dialogue between emerging filmmakers and established voices of contemporary Italian cinema.
The strong audience attendance, the enthusiastic participation of guests and filmmakers, and the positive feedback received from both audiences and industry professionals confirmed the success of this inaugural edition and highlighted the growing international interest in Italian short filmmaking.
Designed for independent filmmakers and for audiences passionate about discovering new cinematic voices, Italy Short Film Days Berlin successfully fulfilled its mission of creating a cultural bridge between Italy and Germany through the language of short cinema.
The festival concluded by establishing itself as a new platform for the promotion of Italian short films abroad and as a meaningful contribution to Berlin’s vibrant independent film scene.
Italy Short Film Days Berlin Founded and directed by Vincenzo Patanè
A project by Kreuzberg Media Verlag
Main Sponsor: INSURGENCE