Bellaria Film Festival at Castello Benelli

Share| Facebook | X | Copy link

In the heart of the Romagna countryside, Castello Benelli welcomed the official presentation of the Bellaria Film Festival 2024. An event that symbolically inaugurates one of the most significant events dedicated to Italian and international independent cinema.

It all started within the walls of Castello Benelli: in an atmosphere of refined hospitality and timeless charm, the countdown to the 43rd edition of the Bellaria Film Festival, scheduled May 7-11, got under way. The press presentation of the festival transformed the 19th-century mansion in Bordonchio into an ideal stage for a dialogue between cinema, culture and territory.

“A Gentle Rising Tide” is the claim that accompanies the 2025 edition, which is strongly oriented toward the enhancement of the female gaze: more than 70 percent of the films in the program are signed by female directors. Underlining the importance of this approach is the presence of key figures such as Lunetta Savino, Isabella Ragonese and Carlotta Gamba, who will participate during the days of the Festival.

During the conference at Castello Benelli, an important novelty was announced: the establishment of the Castello Benelli Prize, an award given to the work most appreciated by the public among those competing in the Red House section-national and international.

A film is the realization of a dream to be shared,” said Paola Pizzighini Benelli, president of Castello Benelli, ”and this is precisely the spirit with which the Castello Benelli Award was created, a concrete contribution to the growth of auteur cinema, in perfect harmony with the aims of the Festival.

The award, the symbol of which is an unpublished work by artist Ester Grossi, seals the growing collaboration between Castello Benelli and the Bellaria Film Festival, which is already set to continue in June with a summer film festival within the castle grounds.

The presentation event was a moment for institutions, the press and industry professionals to meet, confirming the role of Castello Benelli not only as a prestigious historic home but as an active promoter of contemporary culture.