The competitive Mario Verdone Award section celebrates its 17th edition. Named in memory of the renowned film critic and essayist, the award is dedicated to young Italian directors aged 40 or under whose debut feature was released in cinemas during the previous season.
This year’s five finalists, selected by Alberto La Monica, Director of the European Film Festival, together with the Board of the Italian National Film Journalists’ Union (SNGCI), chaired by Laura Delli Colli, will be announced shortly.
The jury, composed of Carlo, Luca and Silvia Verdone, will select the winner and present the award during the Awards Ceremony.

Previous winners are: Susanna Nicchiarelli, Aureliano Amadei, Andrea Segre, Claudio Giovannesi, Matteo Oleotto, Sebastiano Riso, Duccio Chiarini, Marco Danieli, Roberto De Paolis, the D’Innocenzo brothers, Phaim Bhuiyan, Alice Filippi, Giulia Louise Steigerwalt, Giacomo Abbruzzese, Margherita Vicario, and Greta Scarano.