The call for submissions for short films and documentaries for the sixth edition of the Paradiso Film Fest is now open. The festival will take place at Palazzo Adriano (PA) from August 1st to 3rd.
If you are a filmmaker, please read the regulations and submit your short film or documentary by June 25, 2025.
Download the attachments:
- Regulations for the Paradiso Film Fest 2025 competition
- Release form template for the Paradiso Film Fest 2025 competition
- Participation form for the Paradiso Film Fest 2025
Sixth Edition
True cinema lovers cannot help but know and appreciate the village of Palazzo Adriano, a small Sicilian gem that captured the attention of director Giuseppe Tornatore, who chose it as the main natural set for the Oscar-winning film Cinema Paradiso. The village has also hosted the filming of other movies and various commercials. Who could forget the Sicilian village in the film and its iconic square, where the grand cinema once stood — the site of meetings, tragedies, and shattered dreams in the movie, now filled with memories and emotion.
1. WHEN
The Paradiso Film Fest, scheduled for August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2025, will be a sensory and artistic journey — an immersion into the world and secrets of cinema and music, while discovering a land with unique characteristics.
2. ORGANIZERS
The Paradiso Film Fest is organized by the Municipality of Palazzo Adriano, in collaboration with local associations and potential private sponsors.
3. SHORT FILM COMPETITION
The artistic direction will review the submissions and make the selections.
Short films with a maximum duration of 30 minutes, made by Italian or international directors within the last four years (from 2022 to today), are eligible to participate. No more than three titles per author may be submitted. Only projects that have not been submitted to previous editions of the festival are allowed.
4. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
This section is open to Italian and international documentaries with a maximum duration of 60 minutes, made within the last three years (from 2023 to today). Only one title per author may be submitted. Only projects that have not been submitted to previous editions of the festival are eligible.
5. AWARDS
Awards will be assigned by the festival jury, composed of a technical and public jury, and their decisions are final. The following awards will be presented:
- Best Short Film (€500 prize)
- Special Mention: Best Animated Short Film
- Special Mention: Best Documentary
- Special Mention: Best Short Film on Social Issues (live-action and animation)
- Special Mention: Best Performer
- Special Mention: Best Cinematography
- Special Mention: Best Original Score
- Special Mention: Best Directing
- Special Mention: Best Editing
- Special Mention: Best Film
- Special Mention: Best Screenplay
- Special Mention: Best Production
- Special Mention: Best Set Design
- Special Mention: Best Junior Performance
- Special Mention: Best Costume and Makeup
- Special Mention: Best Short Film about the Sicilian Territory
- Audience Award
6. FILM SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE
Submissions must be made using the official form, available for download on the website: https://www.paradisofilmfest.com.
The holders of the submitted works must send a streaming link to info@paradisofilmfest.com no later than June 25, 2025.
Registration for short films and documentaries is free.
For films not in Italian or English and not already subtitled, participants must submit the film with hardcoded Italian and English subtitles.
If selected, screening files must include hardcoded subtitles in both Italian and English.
Files must be sent in the following format: 1920x1080p, .mp4 or .mov, H264 codec, via downloadable links from Vimeo or Google Drive, with no expiration date. Temporary or expiring links will not be accepted.
If selected (notification by July 10, 2025), participants must also send:
- Dialogue transcript in original language, English, and Italian
- Full HD video file with embedded Italian and English subtitles
- Five official photos
- Synopsis
- Short biography of the director
Registration will be considered valid only if all materials are submitted.
The presence of the filmmaker at the festival is not mandatory, but in case of absence, a short video greeting for the audience is required.
7. SELECTED WORKS
Starting from July 25, 2025, the selected titles, authors, and screening schedules will be published along with the full program on the official Paradiso Film Fest website: www.paradisofilmfest.com.
8. USAGE RIGHTS AND PRIVACY POLICY
By submitting a film, the authors and producers accept all the terms of the call. While maintaining full ownership of their rights, they grant Paradiso Film Fest the right to screen their works during the event and to use one or more stills from the film to promote the event or for other communications, with the sole obligation of crediting the artist.
Authors also grant the organizers the right to screen the works in future non-profit events. The Paradiso Film Fest reserves the right not to publish or screen defamatory or obscene content, or anything it deems inappropriate.
Participants declare that they hold all rights for any music or non-original footage used in their films. The Paradiso Film Fest accepts no responsibility for any rights violations. By submitting the registration form, authors and producers also authorize Paradiso Film Fest to process their personal data in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR).
All personal data will be handled in accordance with privacy and identity protection standards.
Any disputes will be resolved under Italian law, with jurisdiction in Termini Imerese (Italy).
