Italy Short Film Days

The initiative is organized by Kreuzberg Media Verlag and the Associazione Raw Drivers, with support from the main sponsor Insurgence.co, a creative hub that is supporting the festival in launching its first edition and in building a European ecosystem for Italian short film.

The festival has a clear goal: to bring the best of contemporary Italian short film into an international context and to foster dialogue between filmmakers, actors, industry representatives, the media, the Italian community, and a global audience. At a time when short film ranks among the most vibrant forms of cinematic innovation, Italy Short Film Days Berlin sees itself as a platform for a form of expression that reflects the present, explores new cinematic languages, and showcases both emerging and established talent.

Over four evenings, the festival presents a total of 30 Italian short films in competition, all with English subtitles to ensure broad international accessibility. The selection offers a nuanced overview of contemporary Italian cinema and brings together diverse aesthetics, generations, and perspectives in dialogue.

The screenings will take place at three established arthouse cinemas on the Berlin scene: ACUD Kino, Lichtblick Kino, and IL KINO.

A network of media partners, including ARTE.TV, contributes to the festival’s visibility. The festival’s cultural partner is IWONDERFULL, one of the leading institutions in the distribution and promotion of international auteur cinema in Italy.

In collaboration with MYmovies, the festival’s entertainment partner, a large portion of the short films presented will also be available online. This allows the festival to extend its digital reach beyond the event dates. The MYmovies audience is also actively involved and awards the MYmovies Audience Award via online voting.

Italy Short Film Days Berlin is aimed at the Italian community, cultural professionals, experts in the audiovisual industry, the media, festivals, students, and an international audience. The goal is to create not only a festival but also a space for exchange, encounters, and networking.

In addition to the screenings, the festival offers an expanded supporting program featuring aperitifs, meet-and-greet sessions, and after-party evenings—informal opportunities for exchange and networking in a summery atmosphere.

This social dimension is supported by the food and drink partners—Gin & Tonic Festival, Vino a Berlino, Trattoria a’ Muntagnola, and SicilyAddict—who transform the festival venues into lively meeting places for audiences, filmmakers, and industry professionals. This is complemented by the official festival bar Oblomov as well as Real Estate Berlin, the partner for guest accommodations and on-site logistical support.

The festival also announces the participation of Antonio Bannò and Sara Serraiocco, who will receive the Special Guest Award.

All 30 films are in competition. The festival features two juries: a jury composed of members of Taxi Drivers will award the prizes for Best Film and Best Acting Performance, while a second jury of Italian filmmakers living in Berlin will award the prize for Best Director. The presence of Taxi Drivers also holds special significance: the festival offers the opportunity to meet numerous members of the editorial team in person—in an anniversary year in which the magazine celebrates its 20th anniversary (2006–2026).