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The film selection for the competition of #Giffoni55, scheduled from July 17 to 26, is officially completed. Transition to adulthood, connection with nature, family relationships, self-acceptance and overcoming prejudice are just some of the themes addressed by the titles in competition. They range from the power of friendship and overcoming challenges to more complex topics, such as human experiences associated with individual and family resilience, the desire for identity and belonging, and the impact of socio-political contexts on young people’s lives. Not to mention the focus on cultural identity and the role of art and creativity as a form of expression and survival. As always, the Giffoni team carefully evaluated more than 2,500 works during the pre-selection stage with the goal of offering its jurors the best of international cinema. The films will be viewed and rated by Giffoni juries: more than 5,000 young people from 30 countries who will determine the next winners of the Gryphon Award. Here are the titles in competition for the 2025 edition.
ELEMENTS +3 (3 to 5 year olds)
The Elements +3 films mainly consist of animated short films that explore universal themes through simple and often allegorical stories for children. The main themes emerging from the selection are the journey towards acceptance and belonging, overcoming challenges and prejudice, the power of friendship and cooperation, and the importance of nature and freedom. The search for friendship beyond preconceived ideas and the stigma of disability is featured in BOBEL’S KITCHEN (Belgium, directed by Fiona Rolland), A DREAM TAKES FLIGHT (Italy, directed by Chiara Helm), ONCE UPON A TIME IN DRAGONVILLE (France, Switzerland, directed by Marika Herz), THE CHIPMUNK AND THE SQUIRREL (South Korea, directed by Kim Sumin Huttzza), UNO STRANO ROSPO/A STRANGE TOAD (Italy, directed by Claudia Giorgini) and WOLFIE (Czech Republic, directed by Phillipe Kastner). Another key theme is the strength of the bonds forged between characters, sometimes in surprising ways, and how they can help overcome a thousand obstacles. This is explored in CAPYBARAS (France, directed by Alfredo Soderguit), THE CARP AND THE CHILD (France, directed by Morgane Simon, Arnaud Demuynck), THE RUMBLE-BUMBLE RALLY (Norway, directed by Annette Saugestad Helland, Johan Kaos), FOREVER (France, by Theo Djekou, Pierre Ferrari, Cyrine Jouini, Pauline Philippart, Anissa Terrier), PERFECT PET (Russia, directed by Maria Shatilova), STUPID DOG (Russia, 2025, Daria Ishcheykina), TIN TUNE (USA, Carolyn Gair) and HOW THE BEAR COMPOSED A SONG (Slovakia, directed by Kristína Bajaníková). Also, many characters are driven by a desire for freedom. That is what happens to the protagonists of AMEN (France, directed by Coutier Orphée, Demarty Bettina, Maingonnat Kimié, Perego Laurène, Poulain Louise, Zundel Avril), DREAMING OF FLIGHT (Germany, directed by Elena Walf), EPIFANÍA (Germany, directed by Mila Useche) and WITH EACH PASSING DAY (Portugal, directed by Emanuel Nevado). Nature takes center stage with THE GOLDFISH (Italy, directed by Gisella Gobbi), ABOVE THE TAMARIND TREE (Qatar, directed by Buthyna Al-Mohammadi), THE MOTHERLESS EGG (Germany, directed by Elena Walf), MUSHROOM’S LIFE (Latvia, directed by Evalds Lacis), NUTISSIMO (France, directed by Nicolas Bianco-Levrin, Julie Rembauville, Maxence Camelin), DMITRY SHOSTAKOVICH, POLKA (Russia, directed by Tatyana Musalyamova), FIRST FLIGHT (Germany, directed by Adrian Jaffé), TEARS OF THE LITTLE CLOUD (Estonia, Italy, Portugal, directed by Anya Ru, Masha Rumyantseva), A PAIN IN THE BUTT (Germany, directed by Elena Walf) and FULL NEST (Germany, 2025, Elena Walf).
ELEMENTS +6 (6 to 9 year olds)
Stories of growth and self-discovery with very young protagonists, exploring the importance of family and friendship bonds, connection with nature and the environment, and the power of imagination and creativity as tools for resilience and healing: these are the themes explored in the films competing in the Elements +6 section. Here are the selected titles: A GIRL NAMED WILLOW (Germany). Director Mike Marzuk already participated in the festival before. In previous editions of Giffoni he presented THE FAMOUS FIVE (Elements +6 winner in 2012), THE FAMOUS FIVE 2 (Elements +6 winner in 2013) and THE CHAOS SISTERS FEAT. PENGUIN PAUL (Elements +6 in 2024). ELLA & FRIENDS – OPERATION OTTER (Finland, debut feature by Elin Grönblom); MY PENGUIN FRIEND (Brazil, USA., Spain, directed by David Schurmann – distributed in Italy by Leone Film Group), whose cast also features Jean Reno, who visited Giffoni in 2012; the debut feature THE SONGBIRDS’ SECRET (France, Belgium, directed by Antoine Lanciaux); STITCH HEAD (Germany, Luxembourg, directed by Steve Hudson – distributed in Italy by Vertice 360), which features Asa Butterfield among the voice talents; SUPER CHARLIE (Sweden, Denmark, directed by Jon Holmberg – distributed in Italy by Plaion Pictures) and TALES FROM THE MAGIC GARDEN (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, debut feature by David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, Jean-Claude Rozec).
The short films of the Elements +6 section also approach universal themes with depth and sensitivity. Personal growth and the relationship with the past: CARMEN AND THE WOODEN SPOON (Spain, directed by Carlos Gómez-Mira Sagrado); courage and resilience in the face of obstacles: TWO/DUE (Italy, directed by Lisa Riccardi); THE EAGLE AND THE KINGLET (Belgium, France, by Paul Jadoul); SON (Kazakhstan, Russia, directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova); emotional bonds, human connections, the value of friendship: PLAYING HOUSE (Norway, by Maria Alvsaker Næss); SMOKE FINGERS (Mexico, by Jorge Antonio Estrada); WHEN I GET RICH (Netherlands, Lucas Camps). Here is a small selection that, by combining intimate and universal narratives, invites us to look within ourselves and towards others, reminding us that growth, courage and authentic relationships are at the heart of the human experience.
ELEMENTS +10 (10 to 12 year olds)
The films in the Elements +10 section address a variety of themes, often focusing on the experience of childhood and adolescence, the search for acceptance and identity, and the challenges of family and social relationships. Many of them also highlight the importance of resilience, the power of imagination and creativity, and the impact that difficult historical or social contexts can have on young people. Here are the titles: BIRD OF A DIFFERENT FEATHER (India, debut feature by Manohara K.); BRIGHTLY SHINING (Norway, debut feature by Ida Sagmo Tvedte); HONEY (Denmark), whose director Natasha Arthy was at Giffoni in 2001 with the film Miracle; THE MOUNTAIN (New Zealand, debut feature), whose director Rachel House also starred in three films presented at Giffoni: Whale Rider (by Niki Caro, Free to Fly, 2003), Eagle vs Shark (by Taika Waititi, Y Gen, 2007) and Boy (by Taika Waititi, Generator +13, 2010). She also features as one of the voice talents in OCEANIA and OCEANIA 2; NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE (France, Canada, Belgium, directed by Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro), THE SECRET FLOOR (Germany, Austria, Luxembourg), whose director Norbert Lechner already attended Giffoni with the film Fortune Favors The Brave (Elements +10, 2016); TOMORROW I’LL BE BRAVE (Germany, directed by Bernard Sahling).
The short film selection address some of the major obstacles that preadolescents experience on their path to adulthood: the struggles of managing their impulses (EARTHQUAKE/TERREMOTO, Italy, directed by Massimiliano Di Lauro and Lorenzo Latrofa), adults failing to understand their passions (MARTA VUOLE GIOCARE, Italy, directed by Matteo Quarta), exploitation that undermines education (PATAKHA, USA, directed by Rohit Relan), bullying and the school’s inability to deal with learning disabilities (TEARFUL TIGERS, Spain, directed by Adán Pichardo). The value of emotional bonds and friendship are like beacons in the storms of life that have to do with illness (HAPPY SNAPS, United Kingdom, directed by Tyro Heath), climate change (SNOW BEAR, USA, 2024, by Aaron Blaise), and a terrifying dystopian future (NO PLACE LIKE HOME, Italy, directed by Valeria Gaudieri).
GENERATOR +13 (13 to 15 year olds)
A prominent theme in the GENERATOR +13 section is the exploration of childhood and adolescence as times of vulnerability and learning, sometimes marked by traumatic events or challenging family and social dynamics. FELIPE (Argentina, Spain, Guatemala, debut feature by director Federico Schmuckler), KAYE (Chile, Italy, directed by Juan Pablo Cáceres – Italian co-production Ombre Rosse Film Productions), OLLIE (France, debut feature by director Antoine Besse, whose cast also features Emmanuelle Bercot, director of Standing Tall, presented at Giffoni in 2015). THE SKIN OF THE WATER (Costa Rica, Chile, directed by Patricia Velásquez), the debut feature SLACKERS (Germany, directed by Sorina Gajewski), SOFT LEAVES (Belgium, debut feature by Miwako van Weyenberg) and WOLFGANG (Spain, directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera – distributed in Italy by Maestro Distribution); the director already presented at Giffoni the short film Treitum, awarded as Best Short Film in the Free to Fly section in 2002).
GENERATOR +16 (16 to 18 year olds)
A common thread among the films in the GENERATOR +16 section is the journey of young protagonists into adulthood, often sped up or complicated by unexpected events or personal challenges. Six of the seven films in the section are debut features: CHRISTY (Ireland, UK, directed by Brendan Canty), COMEBACK (Belgium, Netherlands, directed by Jan Roseens and Raf Roosens), DJ AHMET (Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Serbia, directed by Georgi M. Unkovski – distributed in Italy by Movies Inspired), ISLE CHILD (South Korea, USA, directed by Thoman Percy Kim), LITTLE TROUBLE GIRLS (Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, directed by Urška Djukić – distributed in Italy by Tucker Film), PROMISE I’LL BE FINE (Slovakia, Czech Republic, directed by Katarína Gramatová) and CUERPO CELESTE (Italy, Chile, directed by Nayra Ilic – Italian co-production Disparte).
GENERATOR +18 (18 year olds and older)
Although set in different geographic and cultural contexts, the films featured in the GENERATOR +18 section share a deep interest in human experiences related to individual and family resilience, the search for identity and belonging, and the impact of socio-political settings on young people’s lives. Many of these titles explore the characters’ ability to cope with extreme situations, whether personal, familial or arising from crisis scenarios, and to overcome them. CARAVAN (Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, debut feature by Zuzana Kirchnerová – Italian co-production Tempesta Film), KNEECAP (Ireland, UK, debut feature by Rich Peppiatt – distributed in Italy by Europictures – the cast also features Michael Fassbender). LUNA PARK (Albania, Greece, Italy, by Florenc Papas – Italian co-production Lupin Film), MONGRELS (Canada, debut feature by Jerome Yoo), OMAHA (USA, debut feature by Cole Webley), SURVIVING EARTH (UK, debut feature by Thea Gajic), XOFTEX (Germany, France, directed by Noaz Deshe).
PARENTAL EXPERIENCE (short films)
The selection of short films aimed at parents offers a deep and powerful look at the challenges and complexities of the human experience, with special focus on parent-child relationships. Parents’ failure to truly get to know their children is the main theme of WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU (Germany, Janina Hüttenrauch) and HER NAME IS IDA (Norway, Oscar Bøe). Family violence -both physical and psychological- against women and girls is addressed in KONG KONG (China, Bochen Gong), LUKHTAK (China, Samariddin Mukhitdinov) and THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL (Iran, Mikaeel Dayani). INUNDATION (Netherlands, Ilia ten Böhmer), RAAF (Belgium/Portugal, Jeroen Ceulebrouck), I DIED IN IRPIN (Czech Republic, Anastasiia Falileieva, Oscar 2025 nominee) explore the theme of resilience when dealing with the trauma of migration, bereavement, and war. QUOTA (Netherlands, Job, Joris & Marieke) and NURA (Italy, Lorenz Klapfer), through different genres, bring us face to face with our potentially catastrophic future. THE GIRL WHO CRIED PEARLS (Canada, Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski), THE POMEGRANATE (Iran, Mehrdad Jalali), WORMS/VERMI (Italy, Domenico Distilo) and KÜĪ (New Zealand, Kahu KAIHA) invite us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and on the many teenagers who are forced to take on the responsibilities that adults are no longer able to deal with.
GEX DOC
The documentaries of the GEX DOC section showcase a diverse panorama of human experiences, especially focusing on journeys of growth and self-discovery, the complexity of family relationships, and the profound impact of the socio-political setting on the individual. The main themes explored are resilience, cultural identity, and the role of art and creativity as a form of expression and survival. BECOMING ROOSI (Estonia, Germany, directed by Margit Lillak), MY BROTHER ALI (Spain, directed by Paula Palacios), MY SWEET LAND (USA, France, Jordan, Ireland -first feature by Sareen Hairabedian). Many of the films dive into intricate family dynamics, exploring the bonds, sacrifices and challenges that come with them. This is the case of MOTHERBOARD (UK, debut feature by Victoria Mapplebeck), PORTRAIT OF A CONFUSED FATHER (Norway, France, directed by Gunnar Hall Jensen), CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS (Iran, Germany, USA -directed by Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni and distributed in Italy by Wanted Cinema), YALLA PARKOUR (Sweden, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar-first feature by Areeb Zuaiter).
