SUBMIT YOUR FILM
Submissions are now open.
Deadline 22nd January 2026
ATTENTION!
All submissions sent after 11:59 PM (Rome time zone, CET) on January 22, 2026, will not be considered, even if payment has been made.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for fiction, animation and documentary short-films produced between 2024 and 2026. Italian premiere is preferable but not mandatory. The maximum length is 30 minutes. Films over 30 minutes in length will automatically be excluded.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM
SUBMISSION FEES
Lago Film Fest is proud to be an independent festival, run by an incredible team of professionals, the majority of whom volunteer their time and skills each year to make it happen. In order to help us keep the festival alive and independent and support the work we do, we’re asking for a fee in a pay-what-you-want mode (suggested submission fee from 5,00€) to be paid via credit/debit card transaction or PayPal when you submit your film. To allow us to track your payment, please add your payment’s transaction code to the relevant field on the form, so that we are able to match the fee to your film submission. Submissions that don’t have a corresponding payment will not be considered. If you are a student or you cannot afford to pay the fee, you are exempt from payment. Please use this form to receive a waiver code.
We accept password-protected and unlisted screener links via all hosting platforms including Vimeo to youtube, Google Drive, Dropbox etc. We will not accept download links or temporary links from WeTransfer or any other transfer methods.
We will not consider works that have already premiered online.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the screening link is working, correctly subtitled and valid at the time of the submission and throughout the entire selection process, so please do not change your password or move your file once submitted. Should your link expire or the password be incorrect, please note that we will not be able to consider your application.
WHY SUBMIT TO LAGO FILM FEST?
Over the past +20 years, Lago Film Fest has established itself as one of Italy’s most prominent independent film festivals, celebrating each year the best independent short films and emerging talent of contemporary cinema. Spanning over 9 days, Lago Film Fest delivers a programme of film, art, music, performance, talks and workshops with something for all ages.
Every year, Lago Film Fest brings to the lake shores some of the most exciting names of contemporary cinema – from Matias Piñeiro to Lav Diaz, Ben Russell, Helena Wittman, Yann Gonzalez, Alexandre Koberidze, Kostantina Kotsamani and more, alongside homegrown talent such as Luigi Lo Cascio, Matteo Zoppis, Valentina Bellè, Simone Manetti, Silvia D’amico and more.
As a filmmaker, showing your film and attending LFF means having the opportunity to experience a unique film festival where you’ll be able to join an international community of talented and inspiring filmmakers and film professionals; you’ll be able to present your film to the public, enjoy outdoor screenings under the stars in a magical setting, taking part and listening to panels, masterclasses, networking events, industry events, performances, concerts, parties and more.
DISCOVER THE
“LAGO FILM FEST”
EXPERIENCE
Lago Film Fest – The international short film competition for fiction, documentary and animation filmmakers
Lago Film Fest is one of Italy’s most important independent film festivals, a landmark event for filmmakers, producers, and distributors from all over the world looking for film competitions and short film festivals to submit their work to. Every summer, the small village of Revine Lago, nestled among the Prosecco Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Northern Italy, turns into a vibrant hub for cinema, art, and creative experimentation.
For over twenty years, Lago Film Fest has been a home for independent cinema, emerging talents, and unique voices in contemporary filmmaking. Known as the largest open-air multi-screen cinema in Italy, the festival offers nine days of screenings, concerts, performances, talks, and workshops, all taking place under the stars by the lake. Each year, more than 10,000 attendees gather in this magical setting to experience one of Europe’s most distinctive cultural events.
Festival sections and categories
Lago Film Fest welcomes short films in fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental formats from all around the world. The main competition categories include: the International Competition, open to short films of any genre and origin; the Principi Award, dedicated to directors under 25; three UNICEF sections – Kids, Teens and Young Adults, aimed at works for younger audiences; and the Triveneto section, highlighting films produced in Northern Italy (Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige).
The festival seeks extraordinary stories, bold visions, and surprising perspectives. It celebrates independent and low-budget productions, self-produced works, and emerging filmmakers who use cinema as a space of freedom and experimentation — while also welcoming established authors and production companies that share this spirit of creativity and authenticity.
Accessible submissions: free for students, “pay what you want” for all filmmakers
Submissions to Lago Film Fest’s international short film competition are open to filmmakers from all over the world. To make the festival accessible to everyone, entry is free for students enrolled in film schools, universities, or audiovisual academies. For all other participants, Lago Film Fest adopts a “Pay What You Want” submission model, allowing each filmmaker, producer or distributor to decide how much to contribute based on their own financial situation.
This inclusive approach removes economic barriers and ensures equal opportunities for participation. Whether you are a student filmmaker, an emerging talent, or an independent production company, Lago Film Fest offers you the chance to present your work on a major international stage, regardless of your budget.
Film requirements
The competition is open to fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental short films. The maximum length is 30 minutes; films exceeding this limit will not be considered. An Italian premiere is preferable but not mandatory. Every year, hundreds of filmmakers from across the globe submit their work to Lago Film Fest, attracted by its artistic quality, its vibrant community atmosphere, and its international visibility.
A unique experience for filmmakers and professionals
Taking part in Lago Film Fest means much more than screening your film. It means becoming part of Italy’s most inspiring independent film community and living a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of the Prosecco Hills. Over nine days, filmmakers are invited to attend workshops, talks, masterclasses, networking events, and outdoor screenings surrounded by breathtaking nature.
During the Barefoot Industry Days, filmmakers, producers, and film professionals meet in a relaxed, informal setting, creating long-lasting connections and new collaborations that often lead to future projects. The festival’s atmosphere is inclusive, spontaneous, and community-driven, designed to make every participant feel part of something bigger — a shared celebration of independent cinema.
Over the years, Lago Film Fest has welcomed celebrated filmmakers such as Matías Piñeiro, Lav Diaz, Ben Russell, Helena Wittmann, Yann Gonzalez, and Alexandre Koberidze, alongside prominent Italian talents including Luigi Lo Cascio, Matteo Zoppis, Valentina Bellè, Simone Manetti, and Silvia D’Amico.
Why submit your film to Lago Film Fest
Submitting your short film to Lago Film Fest means taking part in Italy’s most influential independent film festival, where artistic vision meets genuine community spirit. Here, your film will be screened under the stars, on the lakeshore, in one of the most evocative open-air venues in Europe, surrounded by fellow filmmakers and film lovers.
Lago Film Fest offers international visibility, industry opportunities, networking events, and a welcoming atmosphere that supports creativity at every level. With its student-friendly free submissions, pay-what-you-want model, and focus on sustainability and accessibility, the festival is open to all voices that make cinema a space for discovery and dialogue.
Participating in Lago Film Fest is an invitation to experience cinema in its purest, most human form — among nature, community, and creativity. Here, filmmakers are not just participants, but protagonists of a cultural experience that bridges cinema, art, and life.