BFFB 39 INDUSTRY

MASO is an international training programme for the development, production and distribution of short films. Organised by the IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol, the BFFB and the cultural offices of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, the programme is aimed at emerging filmmakers from various regions of Europe and beyond. The programme was established in collaboration with partners such as Arctic Film Norway, Ciclic Centre-Val de Loire, the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport of the Republic of Austria (BMWKMS), FilmCamp Norway, the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund, Hessen Film & Medien GmbH, the Italian Short Film Center, the Roma Creative Contest and ZeLIG – School for Documentary, Television and New Media Bolzano.

On 14 April 2026, the MASO Industry Day will take centre stage at the festival: participants in the second edition will present their projects during a pitching session in front of international industry representatives. At the same time, the third edition of MASO will be officially launched.

“Through MASO, we specifically connect local filmmakers with international talent and industry experts, creating a strong network,” says Renate Ranzi, head of the IDM’s Film & Music Commission. “In this way, we not only support the next generation of filmmakers, but also position South Tyrol as a dynamic talent hub and give our film industry and support mechanisms international visibility.”

The programme stands out for its clear focus on diversity, inclusion and international cooperation. It offers not only artistic guidance from expert mentors, but also concrete production support and international visibility. Thanks to its partners from across Europe, MASO has established itself as a leading platform for new voices in cinema.

Nord/Est/Doc/Camp (NEDC) is a joint initiative involving various film festivals and film support organisations in north-eastern Italy, including the Bolzano Film Festival Bozen, the Euganea Film Festival and the Pordenone Docs Fest, supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission, the IDM Music & Film Commission Südtirol, the Trentino Film Commission and the Veneto Film Commission, in collaboration with the FVG Audiovisual Fund. The aim is to develop innovative documentary projects and strengthen regional and international cooperation.

For the fourth edition, four projects have been selected that stand out for their thematic diversity and artistic autonomy: Grand-Popo by Nuno Escudeiro, My Sister Is a Pirate by Jacopo Mutti, When It’s Ready, the Hay Sings by Letizia Buoso and Sonic Silence by Alessandro Ambroggi and Ludovico Chincarini.

NEDC offers participating teams a structured development framework in which to refine their projects, devise production strategies and forge links with potential partners. In this way, the programme makes a significant contribution to the professionalisation of documentary filmmaking in the regions.

The collaboration between the ZeLIG film school and the BFFB will be significantly stepped up this year and forms part of a broader vision: the creation and consolidation of a sustainable film ecosystem in South Tyrol.

For the first time, ZeLIG will present its own award at the festival: a jury made up of students from the film school will award a prize to a film featuring documentary elements. The prize, worth €1,000, is open to feature films in the BFFB39 Competition, RealeNonReale, BFFB Special, Focus and Piccole Lingue DOC sections. In this way, the students bring an independent perspective to the festival’s judging and reinforce the focus on hybrid and documentary narrative forms.

Furthermore, the students are actively involved in the festival’s activities: every day they conduct interviews with festival guests and make this content accessible to a wider audience. The interviews will also be published on the Salto platform, thereby contributing to the festival’s long-term visibility.

This close intertwining of education, practice and the public is a central element of South Tyrol’s film hub. ZeLIG thus contributes not only to education but also to active participation in the creation of regional film culture.

Scriptum is a screenwriting development programme that offers South Tyrolean writers the opportunity to develop their film ideas under the guidance of professionals. The initiative is organised by k.art, Palmer Film, the IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol and the Office for Cinema and Media, with Tanja Schweigl and Martine De Biasi acting as educational coordinators.

Over the course of several months, synopses, treatments and complete screenplays are produced. One of the highlights of the programme is the public reading to be held on 15 April 2026 at the Filmclub Capitol. Six writers will present excerpts from their works, performed by actors.

Curator Tanja Schweigl emphasises: “The reading offers an insight into the creative work of South Tyrolean writers from all linguistic groups and demonstrates how linguistic and cultural diversity enriches the development of new cinematic content.”

Scriptum is deliberately designed to be accessible to all, creating space for exchange, feedback and shared learning. It supports authors from the initial idea through to concrete, realisable projects, thereby sustainably strengthening the local screenwriting culture.

With the Female Speed Meeting, the Festival creates an open space for women and film professionals from a variety of genres. In an informal setting, participants can present projects, discuss ideas and make new contacts.

Organised by FAS – Film Frauen Roundtable & Female Views and moderated by Nela Märki and Martine De Biasi, this event represents an active contribution towards greater diversity and equality in the film industry. For young female filmmakers in particular, it offers a valuable opportunity to make a name for themselves and become part of a support network.