Cinit - Italian Cineforum - Competition "Vincenzo Gagliardi"

What you win

The main prize is a 6-day, 5-night stay in Venice with a Culture Pass. This entitles you to free admission to screenings at the Venice International Film Festival (from 2 to 12 September 2026). You will also take part in activities and panel discussions organised by CINIT, during which film critics analyse and discuss films. CINIT may select more than one winner, and the jury may award additional prizes, such as free festival passes, CINIT publications or tickets to other Italian film festivals. Some of the best reviews will be published on nonsolocinema.com and in CINIT’s magazine ‘Cin&media’. The competition is organised by CINIT (Cineforum Italiano), a national film association recognised by the Italian Ministry of Culture.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at a university or upper-secondary school in the Triveneto area, meaning the regions Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige.
• Age: On 2 September 2026, you are at least 18 and not yet 27.
• Subject: Open to all degree programmes.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they are studying at one of the eligible schools or universities.
• What you submit: Write your own review of up to 3,000 characters, including spaces. It must relate to a film you saw at the cinema during the 2024 to 2026 seasons, and must not have been published before.

How to apply

Please email your review by 31 May 2026, together with your personal details and the address and telephone number of your university or school. A jury of three experts, appointed by CINIT and the National Association of Film Critics (SNCCI), will select the winner. Their decision is final. Late or incomplete entries will not be considered.

How realistic are your chances?

This prize is awarded on a highly selective basis. You must be studying in one of the three Triveneto regions and meet the age requirements, so the pool of eligible applicants is small. The assessment is based on the quality and originality of a short review, so a well-thought-out, well-written piece stands out more than it would for awards based on marks or academic records. If you meet the regional and age criteria and put real effort into your review, your chances are good.