On December 21st, the shortest day of the year, join us for an entertaining program of quirky, amusing and insightful short films representative of some of the best emerging talents of Italian cinema.

The topics in this year's selection range from a tribute to Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci to the quest for love and happiness. The lineup includes winners of the most prestigious awards and festivals in Italy and around the globe, including Best Short at the 2020 David di Donatello and Nastri d’Argento.

Un caffè con Marilyn (A Cup of Coffee with Marilyn)

19 min | Directed by Alessandra Gonnella

Biographical

Oriana Fallaci, an audacious Italian journalist, who has interviewed the most powerful people on Earth, is sent to Hollywood to chase her most evasive subject yet, Marilyn Monroe.

L’amica del cuore (My Best Friend)

4 min | Directed by Sara Cardillo

Comedy

During visiting hours in a hospice, two elderly ladies talk to each other. Gemma is very ill, but her friend Piera encourages her to live fully and make the most of her time by chasing her dreams – even the wildest ones!

Fulmini e saette (Thunderbolts and Lightning Strikes)

6 min | Directed by Daniele Lince

Comedy

The Lightning Woman can move at supersonic speed and teleport while watching over the city and its inhabitants. However, sometimes, superpowers may not be enough to even face everyday life.

Sufficiente (Pass)

8 min | Directed by Maddalena Stornaiuolo and Antonio Ruocco

Drama

In a school in the outskirts of Naples, a 15-year-old boy takes his eighth- grade exam. While the commission welcomes him with skepticism, as he failed multiple times, he won’t give up. All he wants is to pass.

Inverno (Timo’s Winter)

16 min | Directed by Giulio Mastromauro

Drama

Timo, the youngest of a Greek community of Funfair workers, will have to face his hardest winter together with his loved ones.

Solitaire (Loner)

10 min | Directed by Edoardo Natoli

Animated

Renaud is 85 years old and lives in Paris with his trustworthy wheelchair-caregiver. He is a loner and a creature of habit. But suddenly, a new woman disrupts his routine…

Offro io (It’s on me)

11 min | Directed by Paola Minaccioni

Comedy

An apparently harmless gesture of courtesy triggers a surreal escalation of generosity, transforming what should have been a relaxing night out among friends into a crazy challenge. Who will be the last to tip?