Open calls for Lucca Film Festival 2023
Lucca Film Festival 2023 Calls for Feature Films, Short Films, for Lucca Effetto Cinema as well as for the new short film competition, Lucca Film Festival for Future, are now open
Calling all filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts! Entries are now open for the highly anticipated international feature and short film competition of the Lucca Film Festival 2023. This prestigious event, taking place from September 23 to October 1, has become a cornerstone of the Italian cultural scene, attracting renowned figures in the international film industry such as Oliver Stone, David Lynch, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jeremy Irons, among others.
The festival, organized with the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca, is dedicated to showcasing contemporary independent films curated by a panel of experts. In a nod to the digital age, selected short films will not only be screened in Lucca’s cinemas but also made available online throughout the festival via our valued partnership with Festival Scope.
Feature Film Competition: Showcasing the Best of Cinema
The Feature Film Competition promises to be a highlight of the festival, with 12 outstanding films vying for prestigious awards. The competition includes categories such as Best Feature Film, awarded by a distinguished jury from the film industry, Best Feature Film – Student Jury, judged by university students, Best Feature Film – Popular Jury, decided by the audience, and the Marcello Petrozziello Prize, bestowed by the press jury. To be eligible, films must have a minimum runtime of 60 minutes and have been produced in 2022 or later. They should also be Italian premieres, ensuring they have not been previously screened or distributed in Italy or participated in other Italian film festivals. The deadline for submissions via Filmfreeway and Festhome portals is July 14, 2023. Applicants must provide an online screener of their work, accompanied by an English dialogue list if the dialogues or subtitles are not in Italian. The selected films will be announced on the festival’s website and social media pages no later than September 15, 2023. For further details, reach out to featurecompetition@luccafilmfestival.it.
Short Film Competition: Celebrating Creativity
The Short Film Competition, now in its 19th edition, is an integral part of the Lucca Film Festival’s history. This year, the winning entry will be awarded a cash prize of 500 euros. Filmmakers can submit their applications until July 14, 2023, by sending a link to their film to competition@luccafilmfestival.it or by signing up on Filmfreeway and Festhome platforms. Submissions should preferably be produced no earlier than 2022 and must be Italian premieres. The announcement of selected films will be made on the festival’s website and social media channels by September 15, 2023. To learn more about this exciting competition, contact competition@luccafilmfestival.it.
Embracing Sustainability: Lucca Film Festival for Future
In a groundbreaking collaboration with the Sofidel Group, the Lucca Film Festival introduces the Lucca Film Festival for Future, a new short film competition. Sofidel, the second-largest producer of paper for hygienic and domestic use in Europe and seventh in the world, has made sustainability a core pillar of its growth strategy. This competition highlights the importance of environmental protection and the transition to a low carbon impact economy. It also involves the ‘Film For Our Future’ network of festivals and the EURASF network, bringing together science communicators, filmmakers, and festival organizers across Europe.
The Lucca Film Festival for Future seeks innovative and engaging short films that explore environmental themes through various storytelling modes, including narrative, documentary, and interactive formats. The jury, comprising representatives from the 10 festivals in the ‘Film For Our Future’ network, will award the grand prize of 1,000 euros. The festival aims to foster a dialogue between film narrative and environmental protection, encouraging public engagement and collective efforts in caring for our planet. The selected films will be screened during the Lucca Film Festival 2023, with dedicated morning screenings for schools and afternoon screenings for the general public. Furthermore, audiences worldwide can enjoy these films for free through on-demand streaming on the Festival Scope platform throughout the festival.
Lucca Effetto Cinema: Transforming the Historic Center
Another exciting event associated with the Lucca Film Festival is Lucca Effetto Cinema. Co-produced exclusively by the City of Lucca and the Chamber of Commerce of North-West Tuscany, this event invigorates the historic center with micro-performances presented by amateur acting associations and dance companies from all over Italy. Applications are now open until August 1, 2023, for performers, public establishments, stores, and hotels located in Lucca’s historic center. Lucca Effetto Cinema, scheduled for September 30, 2023, will feature 5 to 10-minute performances with breaks of at least 30 minutes between each act. Prizes, including the Audience Award and the Professional Jury Prize, will be awarded to event partners. Additionally, the festival will present the Revelation Award to a promising young actor or actress from the Italian cinema industry, who will also serve as part of the event’s jury.
Collaborations and Recognition
Over the years, the Lucca Film Festival has paid tribute to esteemed figures in international cinema and garnered support from numerous organizations. The Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca, Audi Center Terigi, Tenuta del Buonamico, Martinelli Luce, Wella, and Banca Generali Private Wealth Management (Paolo Tacchi) are the Main Sponsors of the festival. Other contributors include the Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo, Ministero dell’Istruzione, Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca, Regione Toscana, Fondazione Sistema Toscana, and several local institutions and associations.
The festival’s success is also attributed to the collaboration and co-production efforts of Provincia di Lucca, Teatro del Giglio di Lucca, Fondazione Giacomo Puccini and Puccini Museum – Casa Natale, Casa d’arte San Lorenzo, Fondazione Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti, Accademia Cinema Toscana, Octocom, Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara, Istituto Luigi Boccherini, Liceo Artistico Musicale e Coreutico Augusto Passaglia, and many others. Noteworthy organizations such as the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia, the University of Pisa, the University of Florence, and the Photolux Festival have also lent their support.
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration of international cinema and the promotion of sustainable values. Mark your calendars for the Lucca Film Festival 2023 and be part of this incredible cultural experience.
For more details about the Lucca Film Festival 2023 visit their website HERE
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