The press conference presenting the sixth edition of the Corto Flegreo International Film Festival and the first edition of "Corto Flegreo – 48 Hours to Create an Idea," the contest dedicated to young film talent, took place this morning at Palazzo Migliaresi in the Rione Terra district of Pozzuoli (Largo Sedile dei Nobili). The event launched the call for submissions for Italian short films, confirming the festival as a key event in the Campania and national film scene.
Corto Flegreo: Cinema at the Service of the Phlegraean Fields
Born from a love of art and the Phlegraean Fields—Land of Myth, with its artistic, historical, naturalistic, and archaeological heritage—the festival is conceived by Maria Grazia Siciliano and promoted by Liberass APS. Through cinema, it explores the uniqueness of the Phlegraean Fields, giving space to young directors, actors, and authors. A permanent laboratory of ideas that blends culture, education, and local promotion.
What's new: "48 Hours to Create an Idea" (deadline February 12th on www.cortoflegreo.it)
Among the conference's highlights is the innovative contest "Corto Flegreo – 48 Hours to Create an Idea": participants will shoot an original short film in just three days, from February 16 to 18, 2026, in the evocative natural settings of the Phlegraean Fields. Developed with Federalberghi Pozzuoli and Campi Flegrei Active, the initiative is the brainchild of Maria Grazia Siciliano, president of Liberass APS, to stimulate creativity, teamwork, and local storytelling.
The protagonists of the conference
Institutional representatives and industry professionals animated the presentation:
Dr. Maria Sole La Rana, Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Pozzuoli
Attorney Maria Grazia Siciliano, creator and organizer of the Corto Flegreo Award
Gennaro Martusciello, Federalberghi
Giulio Gambardella, Campi Flegrei Active
Antonio Centomani, RAI director
Francesco Della Calce, film critic
The speakers highlighted the festival's strategic role in promoting the Phlegraean Fields as a cultural and cinematographic destination.
The team at the helm of the sixth edition
The 2026 edition will be led by a group of experts:
Mariagrazia Siciliano – Artistic Director
Francesco Della Calce (film critic) – Deputy Artistic Director
Francesco Lemma – Head of Communications
Simone Larocca – Director
Valerio Caprara – Film Critic (Critics' Award)
A team that guarantees artistic and organizational quality on the national circuit.
A festival that unites cinema, local culture, and new generations.
The atmosphere in Rione Terra was lively, with directors, actors, cultural workers, and young creatives. Corto Flegreo goes beyond the competition: it's a project that connects cinema and the identity of the Phlegraean Fields, the beating heart of Campania, to narrate its extraordinary essence through images.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
This morning's conference was interesting, but I noticed that the details of the contest weren't very clear. It would be helpful to have more information for young people who want to participate and create short films.