Thirty contemporary Italian short films, international guests, sold-out screenings and four evenings dedicated to independent cinema marked the first edition of Italy Short Film Days Berlin.
From June 4 to 7, Berlin hosted the inaugural edition of the festival, an event entirely dedicated to contemporary Italian short films and emerging voices in independent cinema. The festival attracted strong audience attendance and received significant recognition from critics and industry professionals.
The selection featured fiction, documentaries, experimental cinema, animation and hybrid works from the new Italian short film scene, offering a broad and representative overview of contemporary production.
Far from the glamour-driven logic of major mainstream events, the festival chose to celebrate the cinephile, urban and independent dimension of contemporary cinema, turning Berlin into a meeting point for filmmakers, artists, industry professionals and international audiences.
Accompanying the festival throughout the event was Valentina Lodovini, the official patron of the first edition of Italy Short Film Days Berlin. The acclaimed Italian actress attended screenings, audience meetings and the festival’s key moments, helping to strengthen the cultural dialogue between contemporary Italian cinema and Berlin’s international film scene.
Among the featured guests were Sara Serraiocco, Carlotta Gamba and Antonio Bannò, who attended the festival to accompany the films Ciao Varsavia, 1799, Diary and Nothing Special, and participated in audience Q&A sessions.
Giovanni Crozza Signoris also took part in the festival during the screening of A Dog Meows, A Cat Barks, while members of the cast of Teresina attended the screening and met with audiences.
The following directors were also present:
Alessandro Capitani (Bellissima) Alessandro Prato (A Dog Meows, A Cat Barks) Adam Selo (Living Souls) Antonio Romagnoli (Aspis) Diletta Di Nicolantonio (Ciao Varsavia) Federico Papagna (The Ghosts) Irene Belluzzi (Teresina) Giulia Grandinetti (Majonezë) Ludovica Galletta (Falling Flowers) Maddalena Cellerino (Afternoon Call) Matteo Memé (Extra Time) Nicola Sorcinelli (The Confession) Paoli De Luca (Marina)
The post-screening conversations with filmmakers, artists and guests became one of the festival’s most appreciated features, creating valuable opportunities for discussion and direct engagement between audiences and film professionals.
Thanks to the support of the festival’s food sponsors, every evening included social gatherings featuring focaccia, Sicilian cannoli and drinks offered within the cinema venues, further encouraging interaction between artists and audiences.
June 4 — Opening Night
The opening night took place at Lichtblick Kino and featured two screening blocks showcasing six short films.
The event was preceded by an aperitivo with the Taxi Drivers editorial team and attending filmmakers, including Adam Selo, Alessandro Capitani, Giulia Grandinetti and Federico Papagna.
Screened films:
Bellissima — Alessandro Capitani Matilde’s First Day — Rosario Capozzolo Living Souls — Adam Selo Parru pi tia (In Your Place) — Giuseppe Carleo Strays — Enrico and Emanuele Motti The Guard Post — Antonio Rezza and Flavia Mastrella
The opening aperitivo was made possible thanks to the support of Vino a Berlino, Trattoria A Muntagnola and Sicily Addict.
June 5 — Official Screenings at Il Kino
The second day took place at Il Kino, featuring eight short films exploring social issues, contemporary identities, stop-motion animation, documentary and fiction.
Screenings were followed by informal meetings between audiences, filmmakers and performers attending the festival.
Featured films:
See You Tomorrow — Emanuele Vicorito Playing God — Matteo Burani The Confession — Nicola Sorcinelli Nothing Special — Giovanni Conte Aspis — Antonio Romagnoli Falling Flowers — Ludovica Galletta Teresina — Irene Belluzzi Afternoon Call — Maddalena Cellerino June 6 — Official Screenings at ACUD Kino
The third festival day took place at ACUD Kino, reaffirming the festival’s commitment to independent, auteur-driven and experimental cinema.
Audiences once again had the opportunity to meet directors, actors and members of the creative teams present at the screenings.
Featured films:
Pluto — Alessandro Padovani Marcello — Maurizio Lombardi Le Mur du Son — Antonio La Camera Quand tu dors — Fratelli Rosa Majonezë — Giulia Grandinetti Maestrale — Nico Bonomolo Fiji — Andrea La Medica The Ghosts — Federico Papagna
Following the screenings, guests and audiences gathered for a social event made possible by the support of Gin & Tonic Festival, Sicily Addict and Trattoria A Muntagnola.
June 7 — Awards Night
The closing night celebrated emerging talent and the cultural value of contemporary short-form cinema.
Featured films:
Pinocchio Reborn — Matteo Cirillo Sunday Evening — Matteo Tortone Extra Time — Matteo Memé Marina — Paoli De Luca Ciao Varsavia — Diletta Di Nicolantonio Juggernaut — Eugenio Krilov A Dog Meows, A Cat Barks — Alessandro Prato 1799, Diary — Fulvio Risuleo
At the end of the screenings, the festival announced the winners of its official awards.
ITALY SHORT FILM DAYS BERLIN 2026 AWARDS Best Film
Majonezë — Directed by Giulia Grandinetti
Best Director
Paoli De Luca — Marina
Best Actress
Carlotta Gamba
Best Actor
Giovanni Crozza Signoris
MYmovies ONE Audience Award
Bellissima — Directed by Alessandro Capitani
Lifetime Achievement Award and Official Patron of the Festival
Valentina Lodovini
During the closing ceremony, Sara Serraiocco and Antonio Bannò received the Special Guest Award for their contribution to the world of Italian short filmmaking.
Italy Short Film Days Berlin took place at Lichtblick Kino, Il Kino and ACUD Kino, three independent cinemas that are landmarks of Berlin’s cultural life.
The decision to work exclusively with independent cinemas reflected the festival’s cultural vision: supporting auteur cinema and restoring centrality to the collective theatrical experience by privileging venues capable of maintaining a direct relationship between films, artists and audiences.
All festival evenings featured Q&A sessions and post-screening discussions with directors, actors and guests, generating consistent attendance and strong audience engagement.
The Audience Award initiative was also highly successful. Through a quiz dedicated to the films screened each day, spectators actively participated in the festival experience, making every evening even more interactive and engaging.
With its first edition, Italy Short Film Days Berlin achieved its goal of creating a cultural bridge between Italy and Europe through contemporary short cinema, supporting emerging filmmakers, independent productions and strengthening artistic dialogue between Italian cinema and international audiences.
The festival’s success, the participation of numerous guests and industry professionals, and the enthusiasm demonstrated throughout the four-day event confirmed the birth of a new cultural platform for Italian short films within Berlin’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Official Instagram: @taxidrivers2026
For press accreditation requests: hellotaxidrivers@gmail.com