Article too long to read?
The inaugural festival brings emerging filmmakers from around the world to Rome, with Marco Bellocchio as artistic director and a €5,000 Netflix-supported student award.
The CSC International Student Film Festival (CSC–ISFF) has begun its inaugural edition in Rome, bringing together short films by students from film and audiovisual schools around the world.
Organized by Italy’s Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, the festival presents 34 competition shorts across live-action, documentary, and animation, along with screenings, masterclasses, workshops, and industry discussions.
The event runs through 15 November 2026, with events at Cinema Farnese Arthouse, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and the MAXXI museum. Admission to the public program is free, subject to venue capacity.
The organizers describe CSC–ISFF as the first competitive international short-film festival established by a European film school. Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio is its artistic director, with Steve Della Casa serving as co-artistic director.
Thirty-Four Shorts Compete Across Three Categories
The inaugural competition includes 20 live-action shorts, seven documentaries and seven animated productions. The program ranges from personal drama and observational documentary to experimental animation.
Among the selections is 14 Hours to Monterrey, a 20-minute Czech short directed by Matěj Růžička, set aboard a freight train and following two bank robbers traveling towards Mexico.
Gabrielle Bernet’s 20-minute French documentary I Came to See follows a hunting party in the Fontainebleau forest and examines the filmmaker’s changing relationship to her subjects.
Japanese filmmaker Kotaro Kanno’s 13-minute The Void is another competition selection. Further entries represent Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Germany, Singapore, Guatemala, Brazil, Morocco, Ukraine, China and other countries.
Non-competitive screenings include a dedicated horror program and work produced by current and former CSC students.
International Jury to Recognize Filmmaking Craft
Emanuele Crialese, director of Respiro and Golden Door, chairs the international jury. He is joined by Slovenian animation filmmaker Špela Čadež, Chinese director Huo Meng and Congolese documentary filmmaker Dieudo Hamadi.
Awards will recognize Best Short Film, Animation, Documentary, Directing, Screenplay, Editing and Cinematography. The festival will also present an Audience Award and a Special Award for Innovation in Film Language and Technology.
The categories recognize editors, cinematographers, and screenwriters alongside directors, reflecting the collaborative nature of short-film production.
Netflix Supports €5,000 Student Prize
One of the festival’s key opportunities is the Netflix Student Award, a €5,000 scholarship.
A jury comprising CSC students will select the recipient. According to the organizer, the award can help the winning student or students develop or produce a new audiovisual project.
Rai Cinema Channel will also present a visibility award. These opportunities go beyond exhibition, but the Netflix scholarship is a competition award, not a general production grant available to all selected filmmakers.
Industry Development Beyond Screenings
CSC–ISFF’s wider program includes masterclasses, workshops, and professional conversations covering animation, production methods, technology, and building filmmaking careers.
The organizers aim to connect student filmmakers with producers, distributors, broadcasters, and other professionals. This access can help directors with limited distribution options or those seeking to develop their next projects after graduation.
A Future Home at Cinema Europa
Co-artistic director Steve Della Casa has announced plans to host the festival’s next edition at Cinema Europa, which CSC is renovating in collaboration with Netflix.
The proposal signals CSC–ISFF’s ambition to become a continuing platform rather than a one-off showcase. The renovated venue’s opening details, 2027 festival dates and new competition arrangements have not yet been confirmed.
Why CSC–ISFF Matters to Emerging Filmmakers
Short filmmaking plays a central role in film education, letting students experiment with form, establish a visual language, and demonstrate their ability to work with a team.
Yet gaining international attention can be difficult for filmmakers still studying or who have only recently graduated. CSC–ISFF brings productions from many countries into a shared competition and professional program.
Its mix of fiction, documentary and animation recognizes different storytelling traditions, while its international jury and student awards offer early-career recognition.
The festival’s long-term value will depend on sustaining international participation, meaningful industry connections and support beyond the screening program.
Awards Ceremony and What Comes Next
The festival continues until 15 November. Its awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 15 November 2026 at 11am at the MAXXI auditorium in Rome. Admission is free, subject to availability.
The 2026 submission cycle is closed. The published rules permitted shorts of up to 20 minutes from students and recent graduates, with no entry fee. Prospective applicants should monitor the official website for updated 2027 rules and deadlines.
CSC International Student Film Festival: Key Details
- Edition: Inaugural, 2026
- Location: Rome, Italy
- Public program: 11–15 November 2026
- Competition films: 34
- Categories: Live Action, Documentary, Animation
- Artistic director: Marco Bellocchio
- Jury president: Emanuele Crialese
- Netflix Student Award: €5,000
- Awards ceremony: 15 November 2026, 11am
- Venue: MAXXI Auditorium
- Admission: Free, subject to capacity
No comments yet.
Got Something to add to this article?
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
