Bellaria Film Festival

Bellaria Film Festival is a renowned Italian festival dedicated to independent cinema, now at its 42nd edition.

Originally conceived under the name of “Anteprima per il cinema indipendente italiano,” the first edition was held in 1983. The festival has counted among its directors Morando Morandini, Gianni Volpi and Enrico Ghezzi.

Several filmmakers have been to Bellaria and found their affirmation there, such as Matteo Garrone, Michelangelo Frammartino, Pietro Marcello, Yervant Gianikian and Angela Ricci Lucchi, Gianfranco Rosi, Paolo Benvenuti, Silvio Soldini, Agostino Ferrente, Paolo Sorrentino, Davide Ferrario, Ciprì and Maresco.

From 2022, for its 40th edition, Daniel Persico takes on the artistic direction under the organisational direction of Approdi. The festival reopened to independent cinema in all its forms, restoring the festival’s two historic competitions: Casa Rossa and Gabbiano.

With BFF42, the 2024 edition, we looked to the future and went a little further by introducing the Casa Rossa Internazionale competition, in its first edition in the Festival’s history. But we did not lose our gaze on history and, thus, after 17 years, we reintroduced the Three Minute Fixed Theme competition, this year oriented toward cinematic reflection on environmental issues.

To crown the 42nd edition, there is also the birth of BFF Industry, the section for insiders led by Francesco Giai Via, with the fundamental collaboration of Cinecittà and the support of the regional film industry network, formed by the Emilia-Romagna Film Commission, CNA Cinema e Audiovisivo Emilia-Romagna and Rimini and Cineporto dell’Emilia-Romagna.