Social World Film Festival 2026: Claudia Cardinale to Star in Vico Equense

Vico Equense is preparing to host the sixteenth edition of the Social World Film Festival, an international event celebrating social cinema and human storytelling through cinematic art, from July 5th to 12th. Directed by Giuseppe Alessio Nuzzo, this year's festival will be dedicated to the icon of Italian cinema Claudia Cardinale, who in 2017 called this festival "the most emotional festival in the world."

The festival's central theme will be "Abbraccio," a concept reflected in the official poster depicting Claudia Cardinale in the arms of Fabio Testi in Pasquale Squitieri's film "I guappi." The program includes a retrospective curated by Rai Teche, a photography exhibition organized in collaboration with the Fondazione Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia – Cineteca Nazionale, masterclasses, meetings with authors, workshops, pitch sessions, and training courses for young professionals.

Presented on May 20th in Cannes during the Italian Pavilion, the selection includes 134 works from 42 countries, divided into nine thematic sections. During the event, special awards from the Osservatorio sul Cinema Sociale were given to producer Fabrizio Scippa and Anna Antonelli, debuting director with "Spyne."

The festival also stands out for its innovation, offering immersive 360-degree 3D virtual reality experiences, a marketplace for independent cinema under 35, and a network of 40 international events. Access to all events is free, while interested young people can register by June 26th via the official website www.socialfestival.com as part of the "Giovani Visionari" project, supported by the MiC and SIAE.

In the months leading up to the festival, over 10 students from Southern Italy participated in film-related training activities and workshops as part of the "School Hub" project promoted by the Ministry of Education and Merit and the Ministry of Culture.

"The Social World Film Festival is growing as a space for dialogue and encounter between different cultures, enhancing the role of cinema as a tool for social change," said director Giuseppe Alessio Nuzzo. The mayor of Vico Equense, Giuseppe Aiello, also emphasized how the tribute to Claudia Cardinale represents a tribute to the talent and memory of great Italian cinema.

The official presentation of the sixteenth edition will be held on June 5th at the Spadolini Hall of the Ministry of Culture.