Bellaria Film Festival

Since 2022 Approdi has been the organiser of the Bellaria Film Festival

The Bellaria Film Festival and its history have always fascinated us. Looking back and reviewing its history, in the fragments — or in the frames — of those years, we found again the spirit of that free, untamed, independent, auteur cinema that we love, want to make and help make.

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.

BELLARIA FILM FESTIVAL