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The second day of the 55th Giffoni Film Festival will begin with a family secret and an adventurous holiday. It’s up to the Elements +6 section to experience it, in Sala Lumière at 10:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM, with the screening of the film The Songbirds’ Secret by Antoine Lanciaux (France/Belgium, 2025, 77’). The story follows 9-year-old Lucie, who arrives in Bectoile for the holidays. Together with her new friend Yann and a very special pair of singing birds, she’s determined to dig into her family history.
Public access to the theater is allowed, but only after all jurors from the section and accredited guests have been seated.
A double screening is also scheduled for the Elements +10 competition section, with The Mountain by Rachel House (New Zealand, 2024, 89’) showing in Sala Alberto Sordi at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The film tells the story of a brave girl named Sam. Raised away from her Māori culture, she is determined to connect with her ancestral mountain, hoping it can help her heal from the cancer she is battling. Along the way, she is joined by two boys, and together they discover the true meaning of friendship.
Priority admission will be given to jurors and accredited guests, with remaining seats open to the public.
In Sala Truffaut at 10:00 AM, Generator +13 jurors will face the challenges of 13-year-old Pierre, who is forced to return to live on his father’s farm after the death of his mother. Ollie by Antoine Besse (France, 2024, 102’) is a story of bullying and personal redemption, centered on a strong passion for skateboarding and a new friendship. The public (ages 13 and up) may enter once jurors and accredited guests are seated.
At 2:30 PM in Sala Truffaut, Comeback by Jan and Raf Roosens (Belgium/Netherlands, 2025, 87’) will draw the attention of the Generator +16 jurors. The story follows 14-year-old Ava as she tries to find her way through the complicated relationship between her divorced parents—her mother, a former techno DJ, and her father, who has withdrawn from the nightlife scene. Ava is caught in the middle of their dreams and expectations.
Priority access will be given to jurors, with public admission (ages 16 and up) until seats are filled.
At 10:00 AM in Sala Blu, the film Xoftex by Noaz Deshe (Germany/France, 2024, 99’) will screen for the Generator +18 section. The film follows Nasser, a Palestinian-Syrian teenager, and his older brother Yassin, who live in a Greek refugee camp while awaiting a decision on their asylum application. In this no man’s land, tensions rise—but there’s still space for laughter and dreams.
Entry is allowed for viewers aged 18 and up, with priority to jurors and accredited attendees.
At 10:00 AM in Sala Galileo, parents of the Giffoners participating in the Parental Experience section will be treated to an emotional film directed by Ivano De Matteo. A Daughter (Italy, 2025, 103’) explores an all-consuming parental bond. After the death of his wife, Sofia becomes Pietro’s entire world. But what happens when, years later, he tries to rebuild his life with a new partner? Entry is reserved for adults (18+) until seats are filled, with priority given to parents of children in the Elements +6 and +10 sections.
For the GEX DOC category, at 4:00 PM in Sala Galileo, the documentary Portrait of a Confused Father by Gunnar Hall Jensen (Norway/France, 2024, 90’) will be screened. The filmmaker documents himself and his family over more than 20 years, trying to understand his struggles in relating to his only son, Jonathan. At its heart is the father-son relationship, unfolding as life changes and with it, the feelings and desires of everyone involved. Admission is for adults only, until seats are filled, with priority given to parents from the Elements +6 and +10 sections.