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 [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] 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 [+lire aussi :
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interview : Francesco Costabile
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interview : Hleb Papou
fiche film] by Hleb Papou, My Body Will Bury You [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] by Giovanni La Parola, Regina [+lire aussi :
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interview : Alessandro Grande
fiche film] by Alessandro Grande, I nostri fantasmi [+lire aussi :
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interview : Alessandro Capitani
fiche film] 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 [+lire aussi :
interview : Matteo Frittelli
fiche film] by Ra di Martino and Il tempo rimasto [+lire aussi :
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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 [+lire aussi :
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interview : Alessandro Gassmann
fiche film] 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 [+lire aussi :
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interview : Alessandro Rak
fiche film] - 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.