ABOUT US
Malescorto is one of Piedmont’s longest-running and most renowned short film festivals.
Founded in 1999 and promoted by the Municipality of Malesco (in the province of Verbania), the Festival has grown over the years while maintaining a strong identity and progressively opening up to an international audience.
Now in its 26th edition, it has become a benchmark for the promotion of short films, featuring a selection of works from all over the world.
Every summer, the alpine village of Malesco transforms into a gathering place for filmmakers, industry professionals, and the public, bringing to life a week of screenings, events, and in-depth discussions dedicated to cinematic culture.
Malescorto confirms its status as a benchmark platform for discovering and promoting emerging talent, with a special focus on independent cinema. The competitive Official Selection is complemented by special screenings, Q&As with directors, and parallel events, creating a multifaceted and dynamic cultural program.
Over the years, Malescorto has achieved steady growth, strengthening its role within the short film landscape.
2017
Since 2017, the Artistic Direction has been entrusted to Paolo Ramoni, who has guided the Festival through a journey of contemporary evolution, strengthening its identity and expanding collaborations with festivals, film schools, and cultural institutions. Under his leadership, the selection stands out for its artistic quality and attention to the most relevant themes in the audiovisual landscape.
2019
From the 918 works reviewed in 2019, the Festival grew to exceed 1,900 in 2024, reaching over 1,960 submissions in 2025 out of a pool of around 5,000 scouted films, and totaling more than 9,000 evaluated films by 2026. These numbers bear witness to a growing interest and an ever-expanding international participation. Alongside the Official Selection, the Festival has developed parallel initiatives over time, such as Insubria in Corto and MaleScuola, helping to strengthen the bond between cinema, the local territory, and the community.
2025
Starting in 2025, the Festival embarked on a renewal of its visual and communicative identity through a rebranding that marked an evolution toward a more contemporary approach. This process has led to a strengthened digital presence, an expansion of communication channels, and a progressive engagement of new audiences, while keeping quality and cinematic research at the core.
This journey of renewal is also driven by a young and qualified staff, composed largely of professionals under 35, who contribute to shaping a dynamic vision that is closely attentive to the transformations in contemporary audiovisual language.
