Alessandro Rais, film historian and film critic, and former founder and director of Sicilia Film Commission, is the new artistic director of the Efebo d’Oro Film Festival, International Award for Film and Narrative.

The festival, now in its ^45th edition and scheduled in Palermo from 11 to 19 November 2023, opens the call for the “Efebo d’Oro” – the first and oldest competitive section, aimed to the best feature (fiction or documentary) based on a literary work -, and that for the “Efebo Prospettive” – the second international competitive section, aimed at first or second works (fiction feature films or documentaries of any kind, and without any link with literary sources) -. The films will be judged by two different international juries. Submission deadline August 31, through registrationon: https://filmfreeway.com/EfebodOro

During the 9 days of programming, in addition to the screenings of the films of the two above mentioned international competitions,Efebo d’Oro Film Festival will tribute the “Efebo d’Oro Lifetime Achievement – Banca Popolare Sant’Angelo Award”; the “Efebo New Languages – Città di Palermo Award”, a prestigious award tributed to authors engaged in innovative paths in the audiovisual landscape;the “Corrado Catania Award – Professions of Cinema”, which enhances the protagonists of the trades and professions of the Italian film industry; and the “Premio Nicolò Lombardo – Saggio sul Cinema”, for the best essay on cinema published in Italy. Last but not least, the “A.N.D.E Palermo Cinema Donna Award” awarded to female film directors and actresses.

Since its foundation in 1979, the Efebo d’Oro has explored the connections between cinema and literary fiction, awarding the best film based on a literary work. Over time, the festival has significantly expanded its horizons, opening up more and more to the cinema of young authors and to new forms of audiovisual language.

Organized by the “Research Center for Narrative and Cinema” chaired by Paola Catania, the Efebo d’Oro Film Festival has had since the first edition the Banca Popolare Sant’Angelo as its main sponsor. Equally important is the support of the Sicilian Region, through the Sicilia Film Commission of the Regional Department for Tourism, Sport and Cultural Activities, and that of the Department for Culture of the Municipality of Palermo.