The selection of films in competition at the 55th Giffoni Film Festival, the international film festival aimed at the younger generation, has officially closed.
The theme of this edition is Becoming Human, an invitation to explore what it really means to be human today and to become more aware of our ability to generate a positive impact in the world.
The festival, scheduled from July 17 to 26, 2025 will feature 99 films in competition. Stories that tell about the coming of age, family relationships, and self-acceptance, as well as themes related to the desire for identity and belonging and the impact of socio-political contexts on young people’s lives.
The section Elements+3 (3 to 5 years old) features 28 animated short films that explore universal themes through simple and often allegorical stories. At the center is the theme of friendship beyond preconceptions, the strength of bonds between characters, and the theme of freedom and nature. The section Elements+6 (6 to 9 years old) includes 14 short films that tell stories of growth and self-discovery, the importance of family and friendship relationships, and the power of imagination and creativity as tools for healing.
The 14 films in Elements+10 (the section dedicated to 10- to 12-year-olds) explore childhood and adolescence, chronicling the obstacles that preteens encounter on their path such as the difficulty of managing their impulses, bullying, and the school’s inability to accept learning disorders.
The predominant theme of the 7 titles competing in the Generator+13 section (ages 13 to 15) is the exploration of childhood and adolescence as periods of vulnerability and formation, often marked by traumatic events or complex family and social dynamics.
The section Generator+16 (ages 16 to 18) features 7 titles in which central is the young protagonists’ journey into adulthood, often marked by unexpected events and personal challenges.
Generator+18 (18 years and older) presents 7 films that explore characters’ ability to cope with and overcome extreme situations, whether personal, family or crisis-related.
The section Parental Experience is instead dedicated to parents, offering 14 short films focusing on the parent-child relationship.
Finally the section Gex Doc presents 7 documentaries that, in addition to the topics mentioned so far, bring out themes related to resilience, cultural identity, and the role of art and creativity as a form of expression and survival.
The films will be viewed and evaluated by Giffoni juries: more than 5,000 young people from 30 nations who will decide the Gryphon Award winners.
