Azzurra Film Festival 2026 in Oppido Mamertina, twelfth edition

Piazza Regina Margherita e Palazzo Grillo · Oppido Mamertina, Costa Viola, Calabria

24 August 2026

On 24 August 2026 at 10 pm the Azzurra Film Festival returns to Oppido Mamertina for its twelfth edition: the venue is piazza Regina Margherita and Palazzo Grillo, as listed on the Aria d'estate mamertina poster, with the Club Oppido Mamertina Racing organising. It is the film festival of a town in the Aspromonte, conceived and kept alive by the artist Emiliano Chillico: short films screened, a gala evening with guests and a long list of awards ranging from the «Ciak d'esordio» debut prize to the «Corto d'Autore» author's short, from best comedy to best soundtrack and the «Cuore e Calabria» recognition. At the tenth edition the winners included the actress Rita De Donato and the actor Luca Attadia. The setting suits a festival like this: Palazzo Grillo is the noble residence the municipality bought and restored, and which today houses museums, a library and conference rooms.

The twelfth edition: 24 August, 10 pm

The Azzurra Film Festival returns to Oppido Mamertina on Monday 24 August 2026 at 10 pm. The Aria d'estate mamertina poster lists two venues, piazza Regina Margherita and Palazzo Grillo, and assigns the organisation to the Club Oppido Mamertina Racing.

It is the twelfth edition of an event born and grown here, in a town of five thousand people on the slopes of the Aspromonte. In previous editions the festival was held in piazza Regina Margherita itself, with the stage set up outdoors and the audience seated in the square.

How the festival works

The Azzurra Film Festival was conceived and produced by the artist Emiliano Chillico, who directs it. At the tenth edition the Oppido Nostra association, with MamertinaWeb TV, and the Oppido Mamertina Racing club took part in the organisation.

The established format has two parts: the screening of the short films in competition and the gala evening with guests and the awards ceremony. It is a shorts festival, then, with a genuine competitive section and a show element that brings actors and film figures to town.

The award categories describe the festival's outlook: «Ciak d'esordio» and «Cortometraggio emergente» for newcomers, «Corto d'Autore» for more mature work, then best comedy, best soundtrack, the «Giovani attrici» prize for young actresses, the «Cuore e Calabria» recognition, the main «AzzurraFilm» award and «Miss Azzurra Film». The stated aim of the event is to make the area known and to send a positive message, promoting local art in the film sector.

Guests of past editions

Over the years the festival has brought film and television faces to Oppido Mamertina. At the tenth edition the «AzzurraFilm» award went to the actress Rita De Donato and the actor Luca Attadia, both guests of honour at the gala evening.

The 2026 poster does not preview the programme of the twelfth edition: it gives the date, the time and the venues. Anyone wanting to follow the announcements can refer to the festival's own channels.

Palazzo Grillo, the venue

Palazzo Grillo is one of the venues named on the poster, and one of the most significant buildings in Oppido Mamertina. It was commissioned by Don Giuseppe Grillo, a nobleman of Genoese origin, after the earthquake that destroyed the old town and led to the settlement being refounded a short distance away: it is therefore one of the first buildings of the rebuilt Oppido.

The palace stayed in the family: it passed to his son Francesco and then to his grandson Alfonso Grillo, a wealthy landowner. Over time the building decayed and even lost its original majolica floors, taken away by residents for their own homes. The municipality of Oppido Mamertina bought it in poor condition and carried out a full restoration, working with the heritage authority to preserve its historical integrity.

Today Palazzo Grillo is a cultural centre: it houses museums, a library and conference rooms. Visits are arranged by booking through the municipal office. In the same week as the festival the palace also features in other events on the programme: from 21 to 23 August the Rocco Epifanio exhibition «Oltre il confine - Trasmutazioni», on the 26th the presentation of Francesco Rao's book and on the 28th the show «Confessioni di un malandrino».

What to know for the evening

The Aria d'estate mamertina poster lists no tickets, advance sales or prices for the festival: the evening takes place in a public square and in the municipal spaces of Palazzo Grillo. The listed time is 10 pm, in line with the other evening events on the programme.

24 August is a good moment to be in Oppido: these are the days right after the patronal feast of the Annunziata, with the town still full, and the week closes on the 29th with the open-air painting competition and «Note in una notte di fine estate» in Castellace.

If you are staying in the area you will find holiday homes and the businesses of Oppido Mamertina. The full programme is on the Aria d'estate mamertina 2026 page, and other events are in the events section.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Azzurra Film Festival 2026?

Monday 24 August 2026 at 10 pm, in Oppido Mamertina, province of Reggio Calabria. It is the twelfth edition.

Where does it take place?

The Aria d'estate mamertina poster lists piazza Regina Margherita and Palazzo Grillo. In previous editions the event was held outdoors in piazza Regina Margherita.

Who organises the festival?

The event was conceived and produced by the artist Emiliano Chillico. On the 2026 poster the organisation is credited to the Club Oppido Mamertina Racing; at the tenth edition the Oppido Nostra association with MamertinaWeb TV also took part.

What kind of films are screened?

Short films in competition. The established format combines screenings with a gala evening featuring guests and the awards ceremony.

Which awards are given?

The categories include «Ciak d'esordio», «Cortometraggio emergente», «Corto d'Autore», best comedy, best soundtrack, the «Giovani attrici» prize, the «Cuore e Calabria» recognition, the main «AzzurraFilm» award and «Miss Azzurra Film».

Which guests have attended the festival?

At the tenth edition the actress Rita De Donato and the actor Luca Attadia were awarded as guests of honour. The programme of the twelfth edition has not yet been made public.

Do I need a ticket?

The poster lists no prices, advance sales or box office. The evening takes place in a public square in the centre and in the municipal spaces of Palazzo Grillo.

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