The Bagnoli Film Festival, a highly anticipated event for cinema enthusiasts, is set to return for its fourth edition from May 7 to 10, 2026. Hosted at the CineTeatro La Perla Multisala in Naples, the festival is organized by Maurizio Capezza with the artistic direction of renowned film historian Giuseppe Borrone. The program promises a diverse selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films, with screenings scheduled for 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM daily.
Short Films in Competition and a New Youth Jury
The festival kicks off on Thursday, May 7, at 6:00 PM with the competitive short film section, the only competitive category of the festival. Six works have been selected for this year’s edition:
- Camera con vista, by Mario Porfito
- Fango – Una storia di boxe, by Raffaele Patti
- Il compleanno di Ciro, by Marta Esposito
- Il murales del campione, by Massimiliano Pacifico
- Marinella, by Giuseppe Arena
- Orme, by Agostino Devastato
The jury tasked with evaluating these finalists comprises Michela Mancusi (Zia Lidia Social Club), Emanuele Palamara (director), and Nando Paone (actor).
A notable addition this year is the introduction of a Youth Jury, composed of students from Neapolitan film schools and academies. Participating institutions include the Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli, Dam Academy, the Master in Cinema and Television from Università Suor Orsola Benincasa, Napoli Film Academy, PM5 Talent, Scuola di Cinema di Napoli, and Scuola di Cinema Pigrecoemme. This new jury will award an additional prize, fostering engagement with future generations of filmmakers.
At 8:30 PM, the film magazine Cinemoi will be presented, followed by the awards ceremony for the winning short films. The evening will conclude with the presentation of the film Averno Hotel, by Pino Carbone.
Diverse Screenings Throughout the Festival
Friday, May 8, will feature Storie di donne, uomini e comunità by Paola Traverso and Vincenzo Franceschini. This film explores the search of diverse women, men, and communities for a common need: to rebuild bonds and imagine shared futures. At 8:30 PM, the documentary Alan – Il racconto di un ignorante, by Luca Lanzano, dedicated to the artist and musician Alan Wurzburger, will be screened.
Saturday, May 9, will present a Neapolitan preview of Roland Sejko’s documentary Film di Stato, which was showcased at the last Venice Film Festival. This compelling work recounts communist Albania exclusively through propaganda cinematic archives and, for the first time, previously unreleased material from Enver Hoxha’s private film archive. The evening will continue with another Venice Film Festival selection, Una cosa vicina, by Loris G. Nese, starring Mario and Francesco Di Leva. In this film, the director transforms his personal story into cinema as a unique way to confront a burdensome legacy and fill a void that has always accompanied him.
Closing Event and Special Award
The festival will conclude on Sunday, May 10, at 6:00 PM, with the screening of La salita, the directorial debut of Neapolitan actor Massimiliano Gallo. The film will be introduced by film critic Maurizio Di Rienzo. La salita reconstructs the intervention of the great playwright Eduardo De Filippo, who, upon being appointed senator for life in 1983, helped young people incarcerated in the Nisida juvenile prison.
On this occasion, Massimiliano Gallo will be honored with the Bagnoli Film Festival 2026 Award for his directorial debut.
All festival events will be preceded by meetings with the directors, producers, and casts of the films, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with the creators. Admission to screenings is 5 euros.
Support and Future Plans
The Bagnoli Film Festival is supported by the Campania Region and the Film Commission Regione Campania, as part of the Campania Cinema Plan 2026. These partnerships underscore the festival’s importance in promoting cinematic culture and talent within the region.
For more information, visit www.bagnolifilmfestival.it or contact [email protected].
Source: https://www.napolipost.com/bagnoli-film-festival-ritorna-a-la-perla/
