Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest

2026 edition The audience awards the Anello d’Oro (Golden Ring) for the best international feature and the Anello d’Argento (Silver Ring) for the best international short. The national feature competition offers the Metalupo award. A jury of journalists and film critics assigns the Critics’ Award in the international feature competition. The European fantastic short competition awards the Méliès d’argent. Its winning film enters the annual Méliès d’or competition. The festival also presents the Anello d’Oro Special Edition to directors whose work explores the dark side of cinema, and the Medaglia al Valore for research and experimentation in cinematic storytelling.

2026 edition The international competitions accept fiction, animation and documentary films from all countries, completed after May 2024, that explore the dark side of cinema. Priority goes to films not previously released in Italy. Features normally run at least 70 minutes and shorts no more than 25 minutes; the festival may allow exceptions. The programme also includes a national feature competition. The Méliès d’argent competition accepts European fantastic shorts of up to 25 minutes, completed within the 18 months preceding the festival and not yet released in Italy. European production eligibility follows the federation rules: a non-European director requires an entirely European production, while European directors with non-European co-productions are subject to federation approval. A previous Méliès d’argent winner cannot compete again at a subsequent member festival. Entries go through FilmFreeway, using a Vimeo or YouTube screener link. Non-English-language films require English subtitles; selected films need an English SRT file and a screening copy matching the screener. Accepted screening formats include DCP, Apple ProRes and H.264, with other formats subject to agreement. Online screenings require the rights holder’s authorisation. A submitted film may be withdrawn before official selection; selected films cannot be withdrawn. The Italian regulations take precedence in case of conflicting interpretations.