Festival
Three-day event
The Festival will take place on May 29, 30 and 31, 2026, in Genoa — a historic city overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, easily accessible via Cristoforo Colombo Airport (yes, he was born right here) and other nearby airports.
Over the three days, the program will feature multiple film screening sessions, alternating with talks, artistic performances and networking opportunities. The event will conclude with the awards ceremony and prize presentation.
Over the three days, the program will feature multiple film screening sessions, alternating with talks, artistic performances and networking opportunities. The event will conclude with the awards ceremony and prize presentation.
A Cinema in the City Centre
Genoa is a unique city, home to the largest historic city centre in Europe.
The Nickelodeon Cinema — which will host the Festival — is located right in the heart of it, just steps away from the main street. In addition to a large screening room, the venue offers an outdoor terrace, perfect for coffee breaks and networking moments.
The Nickelodeon Cinema — which will host the Festival — is located right in the heart of it, just steps away from the main street. In addition to a large screening room, the venue offers an outdoor terrace, perfect for coffee breaks and networking moments.
International Jury
To ensure the highest competitive standards, our international jury consists of three distinguished members: established film director and producer Kaveh Daneshmand (Jury President in the foto); Alina Zhiliaeva, a scholar from the Sorbonne and collaborator with Forbes, Berlinale, and Venice; and Sara De Santis, an Italian actress and director of an acting academy. They will judge the Main Competition and the Feature Film Competition.
Final Awards Ceremony
We dedicate great care to the final awards ceremony, where nomination highlights are showcased and all awards are presented to the winners.
Just like the major festivals that inspire us, GIFF has adopted a mermaid statuette as its official award — a symbol of Genoa and its deep connection to the sea.
Just like the major festivals that inspire us, GIFF has adopted a mermaid statuette as its official award — a symbol of Genoa and its deep connection to the sea.
Submission
It is very simple: a single submission makes your film eligible for all main award
categories. If your film addresses specific themes, you may also submit it to the relevant special categories — this does not limit your eligibility in any way, as you will still be
considered for all general awards.
Filmmakers deserve to be protected and encouraged. Enough with unreasonable submission fees. One simple entry needed: the stronger your film, the more seriously it will be considered. Submissions must be made exclusively via FilmFreeway.
Filmmakers deserve to be protected and encouraged. Enough with unreasonable submission fees. One simple entry needed: the stronger your film, the more seriously it will be considered. Submissions must be made exclusively via FilmFreeway.
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