Giffoni Film Festival, here are the films in competition of the 54th edition

Ethnic discrimination, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sport as redemption and an opportunity for growth, the difficulties of being parents and children, the discovery of sexuality and the beauty of not recognising oneself in a label. These are some of the themes that will be addressed in the works in competition at the Giffoni Film Festival, scheduled from 19 to 28 July in Giffoni Valle Piana. Many titles in competition will be distributed in Italy by Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures Int'l Italy, Warner Bros. Discovery, I Wonder Pictures, Movies Inspired, Movimento Film, Ombre Rosse Film Production, Plaion Pictures, Rai, Wanted Cinema.

Over 3 thousand productions have been pre-selected and evaluated by the Giffoni team. Alongside the works already selected, the new films will be viewed and judged by juries, made up of over 5 thousand young people from 33 countries, who will decide the winners of the Gryphon Award. Three feature films out of competition have been chosen for the youngest in the Elements +3 section (from 3 to 5 years old). Returning to Giffoni for the second time is Mascha Halbersta with Fox and Hare save the forest. Facing the prospect of becoming an older sister are Itty Bitty princess and Tummy Tom and the lost Teddy Bear. There are 22 short films in competition in the section dedicated to the youngest children: friendship and the environment, curiosity and the perception of time, empathy and solidarity are the themes linking adventurous stories that will win them over. In the Elements +6 section there are four new feature films selected that tell touching stories:2:15PM by Seryong Jeong, Buffalo Kids by Juan Jesús García Galocha and Pedro Solís García. For Solís García, this is his directorial debut. Among the voice talents appear Sean Bean and Gemma Arterton. It is, instead, a return to Giffoni for Magdalena Niec who, this time, brings Lampo the travelling dog to the festival. Closing the section is Niko - Beyond the northern lights by Kari Juusonen and Jurgen Lerdam.

Ten short films for audiences aged six to nine. From solidarity to personal acceptance, from bullying to self-discovery, from the importance of empathy to friendship, these are the themes addressed. Offering a profound look at life's challenges and goals, emphasising the importance of friendship, hope and courage, a journey through dreams and wishes for the future, showing how, despite obstacles, the strength of human bonds can illuminate even the most difficult moments, these are the latest titles selected in the Elements +10 section. This is the case of Bartali's bicycle, an animated feature film marking the directorial debut of Enrico Paolantonio (co-production Italy, India and Ireland - distributed in by Rai Kids, international distribution TVCO). Another exciting story is Greetings from Mars by Sarah Winkenstette, a director already known at Giffoni for various short films and the film Too Far Away in 2019. Closing is Living Large, the animated feature film by Kristína Dufková. Reflecting the complexities and emotions of childhood and adolescence in different cultural and social contexts, the nine short films selected for the 10-12 year old jurors.

A sincere and engaging look at adolescence, each with a unique story of growth and discovery, perfect for the audience of Generator +13, among the new titles in the competition: Didi directed by Sean Wang (USA - distributed in Italy by Universal Pictures International Italy). Co-produced between Spain and Mexico is Andrea's love by Manuel Martín Cuenca. It is a first feature, instead, Seaside Avenue, directed by Maju de Paiva and Bernardo Florim. The new films in competition at Generator +16 touch on crucial topics such as family responsibilities, cultural identity, the pain of loss, resilience and confrontation with death, offering a mosaic of emotions and reflections that resonate with young people and adults alike. In L'edat imminent, directed by Clara Serrano, Llorens Gerard and Simó Gimeno, the theme of family responsibilities is explored. The theme of cultural identity is at the centre of Gamma Rays by Henry Bernadet.

Johnny Barrington's debut feature, Silent roar, deals with the pain of loss and resilience. Finally, Tuesday, by Daina Oniunas-Pusić, deals with the theme of confronting death in an original and unsettling way. Also in the Generator +18 section are three first works that tell stories of personal struggles, family dynamics, social expectations and economic challenges: Good one, directed by India Donaldson, Panopticon, directed by George Sikharulidze and Boca Chica by Gabriella A. Moses. The Gex Doc section, on the other hand, features three first works that explore themes of conflict, tradition, relationships and personal growth. These include the documentary No other land, directed by an Israeli-Palestinian collective formed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and showing the destruction of Masafer Yatta, a community in the West Bank of occupied Palestine, by Israeli soldiers. Giffoni also pays attention to families. Parental Experience was born precisely with this objective: to dedicate a section to all those parents who want to feel an active part of the Festival.