Laterale Film Festival

About

LATERALE FILM FESTIVAL is an international non-competitive festival of cinematic art organized by the Associazione Culturale Laterale.

Its aim is to highlight the most innovative aspects of contemporary audiovisual languages and to bridge the gap between artistic research and public engagement. Particular attention is given to young and independent filmmakers, as well as to self-made, no-budget works that result from individual exploration.

The ninth edition of LATERALE will take place in Cosenza (Italy), at cinema San Nicola, in August 2025.

The festival promotes a free and stimulating platform for sharing, showcasing what is usually neglected or rejected due to its departure from conventional approaches to making and interpreting cinema.

It is a space that breaks down barriers and prejudices, resisting massification and standardization; a space that aims to become an artistic laboratory where the cinema of the future can be discovered today.

Rules

1) Films of all genres, styles, and narrative forms released on or after January 1st, 2023, are eligible.

2) Films must have a maximum length of 20 minutes, including credits.

3) Films may only be submitted via FilmFreeway.

4) The registration fee is non-refundable and is considered a voluntary contribution to Associazione Culturale Laterale for the event's organization.

5) The film selection is curated by the festival's artistic direction; notification of selection must remain confidential until the program is announced.

6) Once selected, films cannot be withdrawn from the festival.

7) Some frames from the selected films may be used for festival promotional purposes.

8) Selected films will be added to the Laterale Film Festival archive and will not be commercially exploited to protect the interests of the authors and producers. The organizers commit to using the films solely for cultural purposes.

9) Films submitted in previous editions and not selected will not be considered.

10) The festival's direction reserves the right to include in the Lateral Selection films that slightly exceed the scheduled time limits but are considered significant for their artistic value.

11) Participation in the festival implies full acceptance of these regulations. The artistic direction has final judgment on any controversial cases.

Premiere Requirements

No premiere requirement

Jury and Organizers

Associazione Culturale Laterale