Castellinaria – International Young Film Festival (Castellinaria – Festival del cinema giovane)

Castellinaria – International Young Film Festival

Castellinaria – Festival del cinema giovane

Also known as: Castellinaria Film Festival Bellinzona
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Castellinaria focuses on films for children, adolescents and young adults, with an emphasis on school participation and stories that encourage understanding between cultures. Founded in Bellinzona, Switzerland, in 1988, the festival presents international features in its Kids and Young competitions. Castellincorto combines short films from film schools with works about children’s rights and coming of age.

Its programme also includes Piccola Rassegna for younger pupils, out-of-competition screenings, film literacy workshops and a Pitching Lab for professionals. Selected screenings extend beyond Bellinzona to other cinemas in Ticino, while year-round activities reach other Swiss cantons and northern Italy. The dates of the 39th edition are 14–21 November 2026.

Country

Switzerland

Focus

Animation, Documentary, For Kids

Categories

Animation, Documentary, Feature, Short, Student

Dates

14 November 2026 — 21 November 2026

Awards and prizes

The Kids competition presents the Castello d’oro (CHF 3,000), Castello d’argento (CHF 2,000) and Castello di bronzo (CHF 1,000), with parallel prizes including Fuori le Mura, ECFA, ASPI and UNICEF. The Young competition includes the Tre Castelli Award (CHF 3,000), Ambiente è qualità di vita Award (CHF 1,000) and Utopia Award, a one-week creative residency at Monte Verità in Ascona. The festival also lists a Crescere insieme Award (CHF 1,000). Castellincorto presents the Daniel jury award (CHF 1,500), an audience award (CHF 500) and Oltre le sbarre, a special mention awarded by a jury of incarcerated people. Audience awards also recognize feature films.

Festival rules

The 2026 regulations accept feature films of any genre, including fiction, documentary and animation, with a running time exceeding 60 minutes and subjects consistent with the festival’s focus on young people. Features may enter the Kids, Young or Out of Competition sections; the festival determines placement. Castellincorto accepts films directed by students enrolled in audiovisual or film schools in the current or preceding academic year, or films about children’s rights or coming of age. Shorts have a maximum running time of 15 minutes including titles and credits, with longer works accepted at the festival’s discretion. Films must be completed after 1 January 2025; exceptions are possible. Submissions use FilmFreeway and must be complete. Student directors provide proof of school attendance. Selection authorizes festival screenings; selected shorts may also be shown on a protected, geographically restricted online platform in Switzerland. Up to seven seconds may be used for festival promotion.

Contacts

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