From the universe created in 2025, populated by mushrooms and hybrid creatures, an unexpected figure emerges: alienating, elusive, impossible to categorize.
In 2026, Lago Film Fest continues its journey into an eccentric and free-spirited imaginary world, born last year from a collaboration with CIANG. This character becomes the symbol of the new campaign: a fluid identity that traverses forms, languages, and meanings without ever settling on a single form. It is a presence that shifts, multiplies, and reinvents itself, bringing with it an anarchic and playful energy capable of transforming every space it encounters.
Like the cinema we celebrate, this creation thrives on the freedom to transform, to surprise, and to defy predefined rules. It is an invitation to let oneself be swept away by unexpected visions, to explore new territories without fear of losing one’s bearings. Lago Film Fest 2026 is exactly that: a constantly evolving ecosystem, where the unexpected becomes a language and diversity, a possibility.
An independent film festival.
An impossible dream.
One name: Kevin Bacon.
An independent film festival.
An impossible dream.
One name: Kevin Bacon.
CIANG
CIANG is an artist duo composed of Francesca Colombara and Matteo Dang Minh, both Italian 2D animators and illustrators. CIANG was founded in 2019 in Bologna, originally as a self-publishing project focused on underground comics and zines. Their iconic logo — a fusion of their two faces — and the name itself come from combining CIANCI (Francesca’s nickname) and DANG (Matteo’s surname).
In 2021, during the pandemic, they founded CIANG Studio, an independent animation studio specializing in animated shorts, music videos, and commercials, all marked by their signature psychedelic and underground style. Over the years, they’ve collaborated with various clients and brands including GIPHY, FX, Adidas, Bloomberg, TED-Ed, VICE, and A Studio Digital.
Their animations have been selected by numerous international animation festivals, and their work has been exhibited in art shows around the world. In 2025, they participated in — and also curated — the exhibition VITE, MORTI e MIRACOLO at the TAM museum in Matera.
The CIANG duo has also taken part in several artist residencies, including Nu’vem on Pico Island, La Maison des Auteurs in Angoulême, AiR Lovere on Lake Iseo, Oasi Nuove Forme di Vita on Capraia Island, and the KAP residency in Fontecchio.
FRANCESCA COLOMBARA
Francesca Colombara is an Italian animator, illustrator, and comic artist. She is the co-founder of CIANG. Born in 1994 in Verbania, she graduated from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in 2017 and earned a master’s degree in Comics from the Bologna Academy in 2021. Her graphic novel Panic! was published by Centrala. She has collaborated with numerous clients and brands, including FX, Giphy, Vans, Dickies, The North Face, TED-Ed, and Bloomberg. Her work has been featured in many international animation festivals and art exhibitions.
MATTEO DANG MINH
Matteo Dang is a 2D animator and Italian-Vietnamese illustrator, and co-founder of CIANG. Born in 1994 in Borgomanero (Novara), he graduated in New Technologies for Art from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in 2017. He has collaborated with clients and brands such as Giphy, Adidas, and VICE. His work has been showcased in various international animation festivals and art exhibitions. He is also the curator of Serato Animato, a traveling event dedicated to underground and experimental animation screenings.
Sara De Barba
Sara De Barba is an Italian graphic designer and illustrator. Born in 1998 in Belluno, she graduated from ISIA Roma Design in 2021 and later earned a master’s degree in Communication Design from IUAV in Venice. She collaborates with Piattaforma Lago on the design of communication campaigns for events such as Lago Film Fest 2024, 30_70 Doc Fest, Cine Terme, and Luci su Revine.
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