The world’s first film festival run by university students, guided by a committee of film studies professors and entertainment industry professionals, with the artistic direction and general organization of Maria Roberta Novielli, celebrates its 15th edition, confirming steady growth in content and critical and public acclaim. This festival is designed as an international event, a high-level professional training opportunity for Ca’ Foscari students and participants from the competing film schools, and a moment for research and exploration in cinema and its intersections with various media. The event’s strong international scope is evident not only in the growing global media coverage accompanying each edition but also in the high number of submissions received annually. For the 14th edition, 2,805 films from 117 different countries were submitted, highlighting how film schools increasingly see Venice as a key hub for collaboration. This has been true since the establishment of the international short film competition. Special programs dedicated to the Ca’ Foscari Short Film Festival have been featured at events in Japan, China, the United States, Spain, Azerbaijan, and Russia, providing an excellent springboard not only for the initiative itself but also for the young filmmakers competing in the international contest.
Students from Ca’ Foscari participate in the festival through various activity groups and are trained by experts. For instance, those in the “video group” learn shooting and editing techniques and then apply their knowledge in real-world practice, gaining hands-on experience. Directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and film scholars from around the globe attend the festival annually, offering masterclasses and professional and cultural exchanges. For international students participating in the competition and for Ca’ Foscari students, these interactions provide valuable mentorship and serve as significant reference points for their future careers.
