Bellaria Film Festival returns: program for the 44th edition

Bellaria Film Festival returns: program for the 44th edition

The full program of the Bellaria Film Festival was unveiled in Milan. The 44th edition will take place in Bellaria Igea Marina (Rimini) from 6 to 10 May 2026 and reaffirms the festival's role as a hub for independent Italian cinema, combining experimentation, training and community engagement.

• Dates: 6-10 May 2026
• Location: Bellaria Igea Marina (Rimini)
• Opening film: The Loneliest Man in Town by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel
• Main sections: Casa Rossa and Gabbiano competitions, out-of-competition premieres and the Anni Zero retrospective
• Activities: masterclasses, special events and the public reopening of the Cinema Apollo on the seafront
• Organization and support: organized by Approdi with Cinecittà as main partner; supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Municipality of Bellaria Igea Marina

Artistic director Daniela Persico and organizing director Sergio Canneto highlighted a program of more than 60 films that connects the past and present of independent cinema. The Special BFF44 Award was given to Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel. The festival positions itself as a cultural infrastructure focused on generating vision, relations and presence.