MALESCORTO 2026
Waiting for the new edition
From July 20 to 26, 2026, the village of Malesco in the Vigezzo Valley will once again transform into an international stage for short films.
The final day will be dedicated to Short Italy Under 35, a spin-off aimed at young Italian directors and the new generation of national cinema.
Malescorto is gearing up for its 26th edition, featuring a pre-selection process that involves thousands of short films from all over the world.
This extensive screening and analysis once again showcase the vitality and diversity of contemporary short cinema. Malescorto confirms its international outlook and its focus on new forms of audiovisual storytelling.
A growing international festival
The 2026 edition confirms Malescorto’s steady growth and global scale: over 9,200 films evaluated, nearly 100 countries involved, and a continuously expanding participation. This mosaic of works spans Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, capturing the image of a festival that is increasingly open and international.
The Official Selection
and Malescorto Surprise
Once again, the Festival will take place at the Cinema Comunale in Malesco, the heart of the event and the central hub for screenings, guests, and the audience.
Among the most anticipated highlights, Malescorto Surprise returns. This non-competitive section accompanies the Festival’s evenings with a selection of films and hypertextual insights dedicated to the history and evolution of cinema (and beyond).
Malescorto Surprise
In keeping with tradition, the Festival will kick off on Monday, July 20, with the opening ceremony, featuring an 'extra-large' version of Malescorto Surprise, a true audience favorite. The 2026 edition also marks the return of a fiction feature film to Malescorto after eight years, included as part of the special opening lineup.
The Official Selection
Throughout the week, the next four evenings will be mainly dedicated to the international competition, featuring screenings of the short films from the Official Selection. At the start of each event, Malescorto Surprise will return with a refreshed format, pairing the shorts with a series of reflections on cinema and contemporary culture.
The Festival will conclude with the awards ceremony, where the 2026 winners (Palmarès) will be revealed, and the winning short films from the Official Selection will be screened.
Short Italy Under 35
On Sunday, July 26, the Festival will come to a close with Short Italy Under 35, a Malescorto spin-off dedicated to young Italian directors and the new generation of national cinema.
In its first edition, the project was launched as an experimental initiative created with the support of the MiC (Ministry of Culture) and SIAE within the 'Per Chi Crea' program, aiming to provide space and visibility for Italian cinema talents under 35.
Four short films by young filmmakers will be screened in the theater in the presence of the directors, creating an opportunity for dialogue and exchange with the audience and industry professionals. For further insights, please visit the dedicated section on our website.
