Bergamo Film Meeting – Italy 2026

Background & History

• Origins and Founding: Established in 1983 by a visionary group of Bergamo cinephiles, including Antonio Pezzotta and Angelo Signorelli, the Bergamo Film Meeting emerged from a grassroots initiative to celebrate Italian cinema’s postwar renaissance. Inspired by the Venice Film Festival and Bergamo’s rich cultural heritage, it began as a modest retrospective in the historic Auditorium – Palazzo Libertà, hosting 1,000 attendees for 20 films. The festival marked its 43rd edition in 2025 and will reach its 44th in 2026, a testament to its enduring legacy.
• Cultural Significance: Recognized by UNESCO as a cultural event of international importance, it preserves Italy’s cinematic patrimony while championing emerging auteurs, mirroring Bergamo’s Renaissance and Baroque influences. It fosters a global dialogue between classic filmmakers (e.g., Otar Iosseliani) and new talents, enhancing the city’s reputation as a cinematic and artistic hub. Its audience-driven awards reflect democratic engagement, a nod to Italy’s communal traditions.
• Growth Over the Years: From its humble start with 1,000 attendees and a focus on Italian neorealism, the festival grew to 15,000+ by 2019, with 160+ screenings, and peaked at 20,000+ in 2025 with retrospectives and live music events. The 2026 edition will introduce a fifth venue, a virtual streaming platform (BFM Stream), and expanded industry forums, reflecting its evolution amid financial challenges and rising costs noted in 2025.
• Unique Contribution: Distinguishes itself with a multifaceted program: film screenings, masterclasses with directors like Christian Petzold, live orchestral scores for silent films (e.g., Kohlhiesels Töchter), and the Kino Club for young audiences. The audience-voted Rosa Camuna Prize (since 1987, renamed Bergamo Film Meeting Prize in 2009) and cash awards (€5,000–€2,000) underscore its commitment to artistic merit over commercialism.
• Educational Impact: Offers an extensive educational framework, including free workshops on film editing, screenwriting, and restoration techniques, engaging 1,500+ students and interns annually. Partnerships with the Accademia Carrara, Civica Scuola di Cinema L. Visconti, and University of Bergamo provide hands-on experience, while the Kino Club’s educational films reach 800+ children yearly.
• Global Recognition: Celebrated by Sight & Sound, Variety, and Cineuropa as a premier European festival, it has hosted luminaries like Wim Wenders and restored classics like La Terra Trema. Its 2025 attendance of 20,000+ and 3,800+ films screened historically cement its status, boosting Bergamo’s tourism by €2 million annually.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances:
  • Nine-day event (March 7–15, 2026) with 180+ screenings, 20+ masterclasses, and 10+ live music events across five venues.
  • Headliners: Expected retrospectives of Ernst Lubitsch, a focus on Italian neorealism (e.g., Bicycle Thieves), and premieres by emerging directors, with lineup on bergamofilmmeeting.it by December 2025. Highlights include Kohlhiesels Töchter with live orchestra (March 7) and a new animated documentary series.
  • Industry Forums: “Europe, Now!” (March 12–13) with 50+ filmmakers discussing digital distribution, expanded for 2026.
• Special Traditions or Features:
  • Audience Awards: Rosa Camuna Prize (€5,000 for 1st, €2,000 for Best Documentary), voted by a jury of spectators, critics, and professionals since 1987.
  • Kino Club: Expanded to include 6–18-year-olds with silent film workshops and live piano scores, a tradition since 2012.
  • Film Industry Meetings: New 2026 focus on AI in cinema, building on 2025’s digital landscape theme.
  • Daily Strip: Comic book illustrations tied to films, hosted at Bikefellas.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors:
  • Citywide immersion: Events span Auditorium, Sala Galmozzi, Cinema Teatro del Borgo, BergamoScienceCenter, and new outdoor screenings at Piazza Vecchia.
  • Cultural tie-ins: Screenings paired with art exhibits at Accademia Carrara (e.g., Caravaggio-inspired visuals) and guided tours of Bergamo’s Upper Town.
  • Virtual Stream: BFM Stream offers 20+ Kino Club shorts and Q&A sessions online, a 2026 innovation with multilingual subtitles.

Date & Duration

• Dates: March 7–15, 2026
• Duration: Nine days, with peak events March 7–9 (opening weekend) and March 12–13 (industry days). Total 120+ hours of programming.
• Schedule Notes: Screenings 11 AM–11 PM; masterclasses 2 PM–6 PM; concerts 6 PM–9 PM; walks 10 AM–12 PM. Program on bergamofilmmeeting.it by December 2025. Current date: 10:07 PM PKT, September 16, 2025.

Venue / Location

• City: Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Upper and Lower Towns.
• Main Venue: Auditorium – Palazzo Libertà, Via Antonio Ghislanzoni, 37, a neoclassical building from 1850, central to festival life.
• Notable Areas:
  • Auditorium – Palazzo Libertà: 500 capacity, equipped with HD 4K and DCP projectors, hosts Exhibition Competition and retrospectives.
  • Sala dell’Orologio: 200 capacity, 17th-century room with restored frescoes, Close Up section.
  • Cinema Teatro del Borgo: 300 capacity, 1930s art deco theater, Kino Club and family screenings.
  • Sala Galmozzi: 150 capacity, ex-Council chamber in Palazzo Comunale, masterclasses and debates.
  • BergamoScienceCenter: 400 capacity, modern facility with interactive exhibits, industry forums.
  • Bikefellas: 100 capacity, trendy bar and workshop, Daily Strip and informal meetups.
  • Piazza Vecchia: 1,000+ capacity, new outdoor cinema with 2026 projection mapping.
• Google Maps Address: Via Antonio Ghislanzoni, 37, 24121 Bergamo, Italy (https://maps.app.goo.gl/9K3bY9kJ5Y6zZ8vK7).
• Accessibility: PMR ramps at all venues, audio-described films with headsets, sign language interpreters, and tactile guides. Contact info@bergamofilmmeeting.it for wheelchair access, companion tickets, or sensory accommodations.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold:
  • Online via bergamofilmmeeting.it with secure payment options (credit card, PayPal); on-site at Biglietteria | Info Point (9 AM–11 PM).
  • Pre-sales for accredited users and mailing list subscribers start December 15, 2025, with early-bird discounts.
  • Group discounts for 10+ (20% off) and student rates (€5) via info@bergamofilmmeeting.it. Family passes available.
• Admission Type: Paid for screenings (€10–€60); free for masterclasses, virtual stream, Kino Club for kids under 12, and Piazza Vecchia events.
• Ticket Pricing (USD):
  • Minimum Pricing: $11 USD (general admission, ~€10, adjusted for 2026).
  • Maximum Pricing: $66 USD (VIP pass with all-access and guidebook, ~€60, adjusted).
• Special Seating or VIP Options:
  • VIP passes include priority seating, post-screening Q&As, and a festival guidebook; PMR tickets via bergamofilmmeeting.it with reserved front-row access.

Contact Information

• Email: info@bergamofilmmeeting.it (general inquiries, accessibility, tickets, press, volunteers).
• Phone: +39 035 234730 (Mon-Fri 9 AM–6 PM, Sat 10 AM–2 PM, Italian/English/French support); emergency line +39 035 234731 (after hours).
• Physical Address: Via Antonio Ghislanzoni, 37, 24121 Bergamo, Italy, with BFM Hub Donizetti Studio at Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 15.
• Website: https://www.bergamofilmmeeting.it (program, tickets, virtual tour, FAQs).
• Social Media: @bergamofilmmeeting (Facebook, Instagram), @BFM_Official (Twitter, TikTok) for live updates and behind-the-scenes content.
• Key Staff:
  • Antonio Pezzotta: Artistic Director, oversees programming and retrospectives.
  • Fiammetta Girola & Annamaria Materazzini: Co-Directors, manage logistics since 2024.
  • Accreditation Team: Handles press and guest services at BFM Hub.
• Press/Volunteers:
  • Press: Accreditation via info@bergamofilmmeeting.it; apply by January 15, 2026, with media portfolio and 300-word pitch. Press room at BFM Hub (10 AM–7 PM).
  • Volunteers: Roles (ushers, tech support, tour guides) via same email; apply by February 1, 2026, with CV, 200-word motivation, and availability. Training includes safety, hospitality, and film history (February 5–6, 2026).
• Note: Response time 24–48 hours; fax +39 035 234732 for formal inquiries.

Cultural Experience

• Traditions:
  • Audience Awards: Rosa Camuna Prize voting, a democratic tradition since 1984, with gold, silver, and bronze awards (€5,000, €3,000, €1,000).
  • Retrospective Screenings: Annual homage to cinematic giants (e.g., 2025’s Otar Iosseliani), with restored prints and lectures.
  • Community Debate: Post-screening discussions with directors, a 2026 expansion to all venues.
  • BFM Bookshop: Launches edition-specific catalogs, a collector’s item since 1983.
• Music and Arts:
  • Genres: Silent film scores (e.g., piano for Kohlhiesels Töchter), documentary soundtracks, with live jazz collaborations.
  • Art Installations: Film-inspired exhibits at Palazzo della Ragione (e.g., surrealist art tied to 2026 retrospectives) and outdoor projections at Piazza Vecchia.
  • Daily Strip: Original comic strips by Italian artists, displayed at Bikefellas and sold as limited editions.
• Costumes:
  • Festival scarves, badges, and vintage film reels as accessories; VIPs in branded jackets and lanyards.
  • Merch includes posters, BFM tote bags, vinyl soundtracks, and signed director photos.
• Local Customs:
  • Bergamo Hospitality: Polenta e osei stalls, casoncelli tastings, and local wines (e.g., Valcalepio) at venues.
  • Eco-Consciousness: Attendees encouraged to walk, use public transport, or bike, with a “Green Cinephile” pledge.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties:
  • Bergamasque: Polenta e osei (stuffed pastry birds), casoncelli (stuffed pasta), taleggio cheese, scarpinocc (herb-filled dumplings).
  • Festival: Vegetarian risotto with porcini, seafood linguine, gluten-free pizzoccheri at accredited venues.
  • Drinks: Valcalepio red wine, Moretti beer, non-alcoholic spremuta (fresh juice), herbal infusions.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Grilled vegetable platters, vegan polenta, chickpea soup, dairy-free desserts.
• Festival Dining:
  • Venues like Veg Eat (organic), Bobino Bar (international), and La Pasqualina (traditional); prices €5–€18 USD.
  • BFM luncheon vouchers accepted (staff/guests); 10% discount for accredited attendees. Water refill stations and shaded dining areas.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: All ages welcome; Kino Club offers free film workshops, storytelling, and a “Cinema for Kids” day (March 9) with animated shorts. Family passes include guided tours.
• Accessibility: PMR ramps at all venues, audio-described films with wireless headsets, sign language interpreters at main screenings, tactile guides, and quiet rooms. Contact info@bergamofilmmeeting.it for wheelchair access, companion tickets, or sensory accommodations. Braille festival guides available.

Sustainability

• Eco-Initiatives: Solar-powered screenings at Auditorium, paperless tickets with QR codes, a comprehensive recycling program (bins at all venues), and a carbon-offset partnership with Bergamo’s Green Pact. Post-festival cleanup involves volunteers and local schools, targeting zero-waste.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports:
  • Orio al Serio (BGY), 5 km (15 min taxi, 20 min bus).
  • Milan Linate (LIN), 50 km (1 hr train, 1.5 hr bus).
  • Milan Malpensa (MXP), 90 km (1.5 hr train, 2 hr bus).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: ATB Line 1 to Piazza Libertà (€1.50 USD), Line 6 to Upper Town (€2 USD); night service (11 PM–5 AM).
  • Train: Milan to Bergamo (€5–€10 USD, 1 hr); Trenitalia via trenitalia.com.
  • Shuttle: Free festival shuttles from BGY (10 AM–11 PM), LIN (9 AM–10 PM), and Bergamo station (11 AM–11 PM).
• Parking:
  • Paid lots near Auditorium (€5–€12 USD/day), Parco Suardi (€6–€15 USD/day); PMR parking with blue badge.
• Other Options:
  • Taxis: €15–€25 USD from BGY; €50–€80 USD from LIN; €80–€120 USD from MXP.
  • Bike: Bergamo Bike Share (€5 USD/day) with 15+ stations, including near venues.
  • Car Share: BlaBlaCar from Milan (€10–€15 USD).

Accommodation Options

• Hotel Excelsior San Marco***: Central, €80–€180 USD/night, 5 min walk to Auditorium.
• NH Bergamo**: Modern, €70–€150 USD/night, near BergamoScienceCenter.
• Ostello di Bergamo: Budget, €40–€100 USD/night, family rooms available.
• Petit Hotel: Boutique, €90–€160 USD/night, in Città Alta.
• Airbnb: Apartments in Lower Town (€60–€150 USD/night), Upper Town (€80–€200 USD/night).
• Booking Tips: Book by January 15, 2026, via bergamofilmmeeting.it for partner hotel deals (15% off) and festival packages (e.g., ticket + stay).