Providing a big screen for filmmaking debuts, a collective liturgy which places the audience centre stage, and a training opportunity for younger viewers. According to Artistic Director Michele Suma, these are the three pillars of Sudestival, the first and only Italian film festival in Apulia to unspool in the winter, which, over the course of its 22 editions, has become the reference point for high-quality first and second national works. Set to unfold in person from 25 February to 20 March in Monopoli, the event boasts an abundant programme, consisting of 39 screenings, 5 sections, 7 awards and 34 guests.

Ever attentive to youngsters, this year will also see Sudestival reaffirming its commitment to educating and training tomorrow’s audiences, bringing into the heart of Apulia cinematic works which wouldn’t have made it to the region via the usual distribution routes, but also working with schools. This year’s edition consists of a Feature Film Competition, a DOC Competition, the Sudestival in Short section and a retrospective dedicated to the popular actor Nino Manfredi. A Youth Jury, amongst other types, composed of 400 students aged between 14 and 19 years old, will also be called upon to choose their favourite feature film.

A screening of Ghiaccio [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] is set to open the festival, a movie directed by singer-songwriter Fabrizio Moro (behind the cameras for the very first time) and Alessio De Leonardis, and toplined by Giacomo Ferrara and Vinicio Marchioni. The feature films selected in competition include Una femmina – The Code of Silence [+lee también:
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entrevista: Francesco Costabile
ficha de la película] by Francesco Costabile (recently screened at the Berlinale), The Legionnaire [+lee también:
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entrevista: Hleb Papou
ficha de la película] by Hleb Papou, My Body Will Bury You [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] by Giovanni La Parola, Regina [+lee también:
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entrevista: Alessandro Grande
ficha de la película] by Alessandro Grande, I nostri fantasmi [+lee también:
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entrevista: Alessandro Capitani
ficha de la película] by Alessandro Capitani, and L’amore non si sa by Marcello Di Noto. Jostling among the various documentaries on offer to the public are Let’s Kiss – Franco Grillini. Storia di una rivoluzione gentile by Filippo Vendemmiati, The Garden That Doesn’t Exist [+lee también:
entrevista: Matteo Frittelli
ficha de la película] by Ra di Martino and Il tempo rimasto [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] by Daniele Gaglianone.

Likewise dedicated to young (and not so young) people are the masterclasses unfolding within this 2022 edition. The first will take place on 25 February, led by editor Marco Spoletini, who will discuss his work on The Great Silence [+lee también:
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entrevista: Alessandro Gassmann
ficha de la película] by Alessandro Gassman, a movie based upon a stage play. Then, on 26 February, director and screenwriter Claudio Cupellini will explain, by way of The Land of Sons [+lee también:
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ficha de la película], how you go from loving a graphic novel to adapting it into a suitable screenplay. Another masterclass is set to follow, courtesy of animator and illustrator Marino Guarnieri (Cinderella the Cat [+lee también:
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entrevista: Alessandro Rak
ficha de la película] - 11 March), and yet another led by way of screenwriter Salvatore De Mola (Inspector Montalbano - 19 March).

In addition to the afore-mentioned Youth Jury Prize, a further six trophies are set to be handed out at Sudestival: The City of Monopoli’s Exceptional Author Award, as decided upon by the National Jury, the Audience Award, the Sudestival DOC Award, the “Gianni Lenoci” Award for Best Soundtrack, the Apulia Film Commission "Carlo Delle Piane" Award for Best Screenplay, and the Sudestival Lifetime Achievement Award, which will go to the great Italian film poster artist Renato Casaro.