Imaginaria Festival – Italy 2025

Background & History

Imaginaria – International Festival of Authorial Animated Films is the first and only international animated film festival in the Apulia region of Italy. Established in 2003, it has grown significantly, earning a prominent position in the global festival sector. Held annually in Conversano, the festival promotes independent animated films, fostering cultural innovation and community involvement. It transforms historic spaces like the Aragonese Castle and San Benedetto Complex into vibrant venues for screenings and events.

Imaginaria emphasizes education, outreach, and synergies with local communities, aiming to expand access to animation through free events, workshops, and collaborations. In 2025, its 23rd edition qualifies winners for the Academy Awards in the Best Animated Short Film category, marking a milestone for the event.

Event Highlights

• Over 100 animated films from 36 countries, selected from 3,400 entries, featuring techniques like traditional drawing, stop-motion, 2D, and 3D, mostly in regional or national premieres.
• Competitions in four categories: Main Competition, Graduation Short Film, Animated Music Video, and Children’s Short Film.
• Retrospective of Michel Ocelot’s works, including “Kirikou and the Sorceress,” “Princes and Princesses,” “Azur and Asmar,” “Dilili in Paris,” and “The Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess.”
• Lifetime Achievement Award for Michel Ocelot, with in-person attendance and meetings.
• Exhibitions: Manuele Fior’s “12 Covers” at Church of St. Clare; Else Edizioni screen printing display.
• Workshops and masterclasses on animation, drawing, screen printing, and comics for children and teens.
• Imaginaria Meetings with authors like Pino Creanza, Marino Guarnieri, Michel Ocelot, and Manuele Fior.
• FAN Tour 2025 screenings from partner festivals in Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, and Spain.
• Opening concert by Nino Gvilia; closing performance of “Pitecus” by Antonio Rezza and Flavia Mastrella.
• Free events including exhibitions, readings, and some screenings; Oscar-qualifying status for Main Competition winner.

Daily Program

Sunday, August 17

• Vernissage: Imaginaria Exhibition “12 Covers” by Manuele Fior at Church of St. Clare (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free).
• Special Opening: Nino Gvilia Concert at Monastery of St. Benedict Lemon Garden (10:00 PM).
• Screenings: FAN Tour from Cinanima (Portugal) at Church of San Benedetto (8:00 PM, free); Children’s Short Film Competition at Lemon Garden (9:00 PM, $3.51); Michel Ocelot Retrospective “Kirikou and the Sorceress” at Lemon Garden (10:00 PM, $3.51); Graduation Short Film, Animated Music Video, and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).

Monday, August 18

• Workshop: “Wandering – Because Life Isn’t a Straight Line” by Alessandro Frisina and Francesca Quatraro at Lemon Garden (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Animated Film Workshop by Domenico Bombini at Conference Room (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Exhibition: “12 Covers” at Church of St. Clare (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free).
• Screenings: FAN Tour from Animafest Cyprus at Church of San Benedetto (8:00 PM, free); Children’s Short Film Competition at Lemon Garden (9:00 PM, $3.51); Michel Ocelot Retrospective “Princes and Princesses” at Lemon Garden (10:00 PM, $3.51); Graduation Short Film, Animated Music Video, and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).

Tuesday, August 19

• Animated Reading and Workshop with Roberta Ursi at Marangelli Civic Library (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Animated Film Workshop by Domenico Bombini (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Exhibition: “12 Covers” (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free).
• Imaginaria Meeting: Pino Creanza presents “Lama Loco” at San Benedetto Terrace (7:30 PM, free).
• Screenings: FAN Tour from Animasyros (Greece) at Church of San Benedetto (8:00 PM, free); Children’s Short Film Competition at Lemon Garden (9:00 PM, $3.51); Michel Ocelot Retrospective “Azur and Asmar” at Lemon Garden (10:00 PM, $3.51); Graduation Short Film, Animated Music Video, and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).

Wednesday, August 20

• Comic Book Workshop with Francesca Torre at Marangelli Civic Library (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Animated Film Workshop by Domenico Bombini (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Exhibition: “12 Covers” (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free).
• Imaginaria Meeting: Marino Guarnieri at San Benedetto Terrace (7:30 PM, free).
• Screenings: FAN Tour from Imaginaria (Italy) at Church of San Benedetto (8:00 PM, free); Children’s Short Film Competition at Lemon Garden (9:00 PM, $3.51); Michel Ocelot Retrospective “Dilili in Paris” at Lemon Garden (10:00 PM, $3.51); Graduation Short Film, Animated Music Video, and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).

Thursday, August 21

• Screen Printing Workshop (First Session) with Else Edizioni at Marangelli Civic Library (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Animated Film Workshop by Domenico Bombini (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Exhibition: “12 Covers” (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free).
• Imaginaria Meeting: Michel Ocelot in conversation with Marino Guarnieri at San Benedetto Terrace (7:30 PM, free).
• Screenings: FAN Tour from Prime The Animation (Spain) at Church of San Benedetto (8:00 PM, free); Children’s Short Film Competition at Lemon Garden (9:00 PM, $3.51); Michel Ocelot Retrospective “The Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess” at Lemon Garden (10:30 PM, $3.51); Graduation Short Film, Animated Music Video, and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).
• Short Film from Animation Workshop and Best Children’s Short Film Award at Lemon Garden (10:00 PM).

Friday, August 22

• Animated Reading and Workshop with Roberta Ursi at Lemon Garden (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Screen Printing Workshop (Second Session) with Else Edizioni at Marangelli Civic Library (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Animated Film Workshop by Domenico Bombini (5:30 PM, reservations).
• Exhibitions: “12 Covers” (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free); Else Edizioni at Marangelli Civic Library (5:30 PM, free).
• Imaginaria Meeting: Manuele Fior at San Benedetto Terrace (7:30 PM, free).
• Screenings: Animated Music Video and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).
• Lifetime Achievement Award to Michel Ocelot at Romanesque Cloister (10:30 PM).

Saturday, August 23

• Exhibitions: “12 Covers” (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free); Else Edizioni (ongoing).
• Screenings: Animated Music Video and Main Competition at Romanesque Cloister (9:30 PM, $5.85).
• FAN Young European Talents Award and Imaginaria Awards 2025 at Romanesque Cloister (after screenings).

Sunday, August 24

• Exhibition: “12 Covers” (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, free, last day).
• Special Closing Event: “Pitecus” by Antonio Rezza and Flavia Mastrella at Lemon Garden (9:30 PM, $11.70).

Date & Duration

Dates: August 17 – 24, 2025
Duration: 8 days

Venue / Location

City: Conversano, Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy
Main Venue: 70014 Conversano, Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy
Notable Areas: Lemon Garden, Romanesque Cloister, Church of San Benedetto, Conference Room, Church of St. Clare, Marangelli Civic Library, San Benedetto Terrace. Events span historic sites in the medieval center, including the Aragonese Castle and Cathedral Churchyard.

Contact Information

Phone: +39 338 922 2118
Email: atalante@imaginaria.eu
Website: imaginaria.eu

Ticket Information

Tickets are sold online via oooh. events or on-site.

• Evening Screenings (Cloister of San Benedetto): $5.85 (online/on-site).
• Lemon Garden Screenings: $3.51 (online/on-site).
• Children’s Screenings: Free.
• Closing Event “Pitecus”: $11.70.
  Many events, such as exhibitions, meetings, and some screenings, are free. Workshops require reservations but are free. VIP options not specified; buy online for guaranteed seats.

Cultural Experience

Visitors can expect an immersive dive into authorial animation, blending global and local traditions. Films explore themes like memory and identity, with techniques inspired by shadow puppetry, folk art, and modern digital styles. Guests in costumes or thematic attire may attend meetings with directors. The festival fosters a family atmosphere in Conversano’s medieval setting, with live music, storytelling, and community outreach promoting inclusivity and cultural exchange.

Food & Drinks

While not festival-specific, Conversano offers Puglian specialties at nearby eateries: orecchiette pasta, burrata cheese, fresh seafood, and olive oil-based dishes. Local wines like Primitivo and street foods such as panzerotti are common. Venues may have refreshment stalls with gelato, espresso, and aperitivi. For a cultural twist, try taralli or focaccia during breaks.

Family & Accessibility

Highly family-friendly, with dedicated children’s screenings, workshops (ages 3-13), and free kids’ events. Accessibility: Historic venues like the Monastery may have limited wheelchair access due to cobblestones and stairs; contact organizers for accommodations. Some workshops and screenings include inclusive features; the festival promotes equal opportunities.

Getting There

• Airports: Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) is 30 miles away (45-minute drive); Brindisi Airport (BDS) is 60 miles (1-hour drive).
• Public Transport: Trains from Bari Centrale to Conversano (30 minutes via Ferrovie del Sud Est); buses from Bari airport.
• Driving: Via SS16 from Bari; parking available near venues, but limited in the historic center—use public lots at Via Firenze or Piazza Castello.
• Walking: All venues are within the walkable medieval town center.