The esteemed Orizzonti section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, scheduled to run from September 2nd to September 12th, 2026, under the artistic direction of Alberto Barbera, has officially unveiled its highly anticipated short film lineup. This year’s competition will feature the world premieres of 13 compelling short films vying for the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film, to be adjudicated by the dedicated Orizzonti Jury. In addition to the competitive entries, two further short films will receive their world premiere screenings out of competition, offering festival-goers an expanded cinematic experience.
This year’s selection represents a significant global showcase, with the 13 competing short films hailing from 13 distinct countries, underscoring the festival’s commitment to international cinema and diverse storytelling. The rigorous selection process saw the festival receive an overwhelming 2,500 submissions from filmmakers worldwide, with Italy contributing a substantial 205 entries, reflecting the vibrant and active Italian short film scene. The official screenings of the Orizzonti Short Films selection are slated to take place on September 10th and 11th, 2026, providing dedicated slots for audiences to immerse themselves in these concise yet impactful cinematic works.
A Global Tapestry of Short Film Narratives
The Orizzonti section has long been a vital platform at the Venice Film Festival for discovering emerging talent and innovative cinematic approaches in both features and shorts. Established in 1970, Orizzonti (Horizons) aims to highlight new trends in cinema and provide a space for films that represent the most important artistic currents of contemporary international filmmaking. Its evolution to include a dedicated international competition for short films has further solidified its role in championing the art of brevity and visual storytelling. The sheer volume of submissions for this year’s short film competition—2,500 entries—demonstrates the growing global significance of this category and the Venice Film Festival’s stature in premiering new voices.
The 13 films selected for the Orizzonti Short Films International Competition offer a diverse range of genres, origins, and narrative approaches. The list includes:
IN COMPETITION
- ANGELO AZZURRO by Tommaso Acquarone (Italy, 20 minutes): This Italian production features Thomas Di Federico, Pietro Paolo Marziani, and Vida Tunguz.
- TESZTPÃLYA (TEST TRACK) by Lydia Cornett (Hungary, UK, USA, 15 minutes): A co-production involving Hungary, the UK, and the USA, this film stars Hunor Zsédely and the Zsédely family.
- MOTHMAMA by Jessica Di Costa (Australia, 12 minutes): An Australian entry featuring Gabriella Hirschson and Audley Anderson.
- UNA FORTALEZA (A FORTRESS) by Alba Gaviraghi (Chile, 14 minutes): This Chilean film showcases the talents of Antonia Pereira, Francisca Gavilán, Catalina Huerta, Daniela López, and Luciana Sobarzo.
- LOS PODERES by Salim Jaller (Colombia, France, 20 minutes): A collaboration between Colombia and France, starring Daniel Ochoa and Victoria Escobar.
- HEAD OF A CAMEL by Shannon Lee (USA, 4 minutes): An animated short from the United States, notable for its brevity.
- TROPIC OF THE MOURNING GECKO (ΤΡΟΠΙΚΌΣ ΤΟΥ ΘΡΗÎΟΎΤΟΣ ΓΚΈΚΟ) by Stavros Markoulakis (Greece, France, Netherlands, 19 minutes): This trilingual production involves Greece, France, and the Netherlands, with performances by Dimitris Lagoutis, Amaury Foucher, and Anastasia Galerou Vlassi.
- SASSO, CARTA, FORBICI (ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS) by Virginia Mori (Italy, France, 9 minutes): An animated work co-produced by Italy and France.
- BLEU AU LOIN (DISTANT BLUE) by Amir Houshang Moein (France, 10 minutes): An animated film from France.
- MAN-MADE LAKE by Annie Ning (USA, China, 17 minutes): A co-production between the USA and China, featuring Lou Justine Moua Nédellec, Cao Ciong Zhang, Jing Ji Liu, and Nola Kalata.
- QUELQUES INSTANTS DE BONHEUR (A FEW MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS) by Shaden Safieddine Tazi (France, UK, 18 minutes): A documentary from France and the UK.
- ТИШР(SILENCE) by Pavlo Shpegun (Ukraine, 14 minutes): This Ukrainian film stars Hryhoriy Naumov and Iolanta Bohdiun.
- PAPER PLANE by Saoirse Ronan (UK, Ireland, 15 minutes): A production from the UK and Ireland, featuring Martha Malone, Clare Dunne, and Tim Creed.
Out of Competition Presentations
Complementing the competitive entries, two short films will be presented out of competition, offering further depth to the festival’s short film programming:
OUT OF COMPETITION
- IL SENSO DELLA TERRA (THE SENSE OF EARTH) by Alessandro Ingaria and Simone Massi (Italy, 14 minutes): An Italian production featuring Valentina Carnelutti, Sebastiano Kiniger, Beatrice Elena Festi, and Shukuru Zanon.
- SOUNDS FROM HOME by Nathan Silver (France, USA, 8 minutes): This documentary is a collaboration between France and the USA.
The Significance of the Venice Film Festival and the Orizzonti Section
The Venice International Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world, founded in 1932, serves as a crucial barometer for the global film industry. Its prestigious Golden Lion award is one of the highest honors in cinema, and the festival consistently attracts acclaimed directors, emerging talents, and significant industry professionals. The Orizzonti section, in particular, has a reputation for championing films that push artistic boundaries and reflect contemporary societal dialogues. Its expansion and focus on short films underscore the increasing recognition of the short film format as a legitimate and potent artistic medium, capable of delivering profound narratives and innovative cinematic experiences within a compressed timeframe.
The substantial increase in submissions for the short film competition year-on-year highlights the growing aspiration of filmmakers worldwide to have their work showcased on an international stage like Venice. The festival’s commitment to providing a platform for these shorter works not only benefits the filmmakers by offering exposure and potential distribution opportunities but also enriches the festival experience for audiences, providing a diverse range of perspectives and artistic expressions. The 2,500 submissions represent a significant pool of talent, and the selection of 13 films for competition indicates a highly competitive and discerning curation process.
A Glimpse into the Competing Films and Their Origins
The geographical diversity of the competing films is noteworthy. With productions spanning Italy, Hungary, the UK, the USA, Australia, Chile, Colombia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, China, Ukraine, and Ireland, the Orizzonti Short Films International Competition offers a truly global perspective. This international scope is a hallmark of the Venice Film Festival and allows for an exploration of diverse cultural narratives, social issues, and filmmaking techniques.
The inclusion of animated shorts, such as Shannon Lee’s "HEAD OF A CAMEL" and Virginia Mori’s "SASSO, CARTA, FORBICI," alongside live-action narratives and documentaries like Shaden Safieddine Tazi’s "QUELQUES INSTANTS DE BONHEUR" and Nathan Silver’s "SOUNDS FROM HOME," demonstrates the breadth of creative expression within the short film format. The varied runtimes, from the concise 4-minute "HEAD OF A CAMEL" to the more expansive 20-minute "ANGELO AZZURRO" and "LOS PODERES," also indicate a range of storytelling ambitions, from fleeting moments to more developed character studies or thematic explorations.
The presence of Saoirse Ronan as a director for "PAPER PLANE" adds a layer of interest, given her established profile as an acclaimed actress. Her transition into directing for this short film signals a growing trend of established artists exploring new creative avenues within the film industry.
Broader Implications and Festival Expectations
The finalization of the Orizzonti Short Films lineup precedes the main festival program announcements, generating anticipation among cinephiles, industry professionals, and the participating filmmakers. For the selected directors, a premiere at the Venice Film Festival offers unparalleled visibility, potential for critical acclaim, and opportunities for career advancement. The festival’s global reach means that these short films will be seen by international critics, distributors, and festival programmers, potentially leading to wider distribution and subsequent festival runs.
The Orizzonti Jury, comprised of experts in contemporary cinema, will face the challenging task of selecting a winner from this diverse and talented pool. Their decision will not only honor a particular film but also signal important trends and artistic achievements in the short film landscape for the year. The awards ceremony, typically held towards the end of the festival, will be a focal point for the short film community.
As the festival approaches, the announcement of the Orizzonti Short Films lineup serves as an exciting prelude to the main feature film competitions and other sections of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. It reinforces the festival’s role as a vital curator and presenter of cinematic excellence across all formats and genres, celebrating both established masters and the groundbreaking work of emerging storytellers from around the globe. The anticipation for September 2026 is palpable, with audiences and industry insiders eager to experience the rich tapestry of films that will grace the Lido.
