Biografilm Academy

Biografilm Academy is a free advanced training course for cultural professionals, designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the world of film festivals and the opportunity to become part of it. Since 2023, the program has been developed by Associazione Fanatic About Festivals — the organization behind Biografilm Festival — together with ForModena, an accredited training institution in Emilia-Romagna, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, and other partners involved in the organization of the festival and the training programme.

The main objective of the course is to train highly specialized professionals capable of meeting the growing demand, both regionally and nationally, for skilled staff within film festivals and audiovisual events.

The professional figure trained through the programme works in the field of festivals, screenings, and events related to the audiovisual and performing arts sectors. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the organizational structure, management processes, and operational mechanisms behind a film festival, enabling them to navigate its various production stages effectively.

The programme provides specific expertise in three key areas central to the development of a festival: Audience Development, communication strategies in both traditional and innovative forms, technological tools, and green management practices. Participants acquire organizational, technical, and technological skills applicable to areas such as screening management and graphic communication.

At the end of the training programme, participants may work in various capacities within companies and organizations involved in the creation and management of events and festivals, or collaborate in their production.

The course is open to individuals residing or domiciled in Emilia-Romagna prior to enrolment and who meet the following requirements: completion of compulsory education and training obligations; intermediate to good digital skills; and knowledge or experience in the audiovisual sector acquired through professional, formal, non-formal, or informal learning contexts. Previous experience related to the audiovisual field and the topics covered by the course will be considered an added value.

PROGRAMME, CONTENTS, EVENTS

• Chiara Liberti, Artistic Co-Director of Biografilm Festival,  Massimo Benvegnù, Artistic Co-Director of Biografilm, Caterina Mazzucato

Lecture: How to Programme a Festival: Artistic Direction and Curatorial Vision

• Alessandro Di Pasquale, Programming Office Coordinator Biografilm

Lecture: The Programming Office: Coordination and Relations with Film Rights Holders

• Massimo Benvegnù Artistic Co-Director Biografilm

Lecture: The Artistic Direction of a Festival: Meeting with Massimo Benvegnù

• Caterina Mazzucato

Lecture: Events for Industry Professionals: Festival Markets Lecture: Bio to B Onsite: Observatory on Audiovisual Markets and Industry

FILM INDUSTRY, DISTRIBUTION AND CINEMA STRATEGY

• Andrea Romeo, CEO and Editorial Director of I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: Working in the Cultural Sector: Editorial Strategies in the Entertainment Industry

• Emanuela Ceddia, Vice President and Marketing Director of I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: Strategic and Creative Marketing for the Industry

• Francesco Fantoni, Vice President of Pop Up Cinema and Acquisitions Coordinator at I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: Programming a Cinema Venue: Models, Audiences, and Sustainability

• Roberto Pisoni, AI Innovation, Content & New Media Development

Lecture: IWonderfull: Editorial Management and Content Strategy for a Platform

• Benedetta Caponi Commercial Director I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: Commercial Direction in Film Distribution

• Marco Pisciotta Head of Editions I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: Screening Formats and Print Processing: Technical and Operational Aspects

• Dario Bonazelli Theatrical Sales e Festival Manager I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: Festivals and Theatrical Distribution: Strategies, Release Windows, and Audience

ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA STUDIES

• Marco Cucco Associate Professor at Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna and Director of the Master’s Programme in Cinema and Audiovisual Management

Lecture: Working in the Cultural Sector

• Luca Bersaglia Media Strategy Expert and Consultant for the Media and Entertainment Industry

Lecture: Management and Governance of Cultural Events: Organizational Models, Roles, and Processes Lecture: Managing Culture, Connecting Cultures: Economic Models, Content Strategies, and Sustainability in the Contemporary Festival System

• Giulia Allegrini Senior Researcher Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna

Lecture: Audience Development: Processes and Methods

• Paola Brembilla, Coordinator of CITEM

Lecture: Participatory Cultures: Communities as Cross-Industry Synergies in Media and Entertainment

• Nicolas Chiappucci PhD student in Philosophy, Science, Cognition and Semiotics

Lecture: Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies in Cultural Work: Opportunities and Practical Applications

TERRITORY AND INSTITUTIONS

• Fabio Abagnato Head of Emilia-Romagna Film Commission

Lecture: Festival Meet Institution: Meeting with Fabio Abagnato

• Margherita Apone Cultural Project Designer and practitioner at the Anti-Violence Centre of Casa delle Donne in Bologna

Lecture: Awareness 2.0: Forms of Cultural Entertainment

• Chiara Boschiero Educational Projects Coordinator and Programmer at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Biografilm Campus – The Festival Beyond the Festival: Education, Participation, and Continuity

• Teresa Sala Director and filmmaker, Programming Manager of Some Prefer Cake, and Collaborations Manager at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Festivals in the City: Relations with Associations

FUNDING AND CULTURAL SUPPORT

• Daniela Marreu Project Manager Archilabò

Lecture: CulturalMente: Applying for Calls to Promote Culture

• Silvia Sandrone Project Officer of Creative Europe Desk Italy MEDIA and Sara Bellinazzi Project Assistant of Creative Europe Desk Italy MEDIA

Lecture: Creative Europe MEDIA: Funding Opportunities, Networking, and Development

• Monica Ghisleri Events Project Manager Biografilm

Lecture: Marketing Strategies for Festivals

MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT DESIGN

• Riccardo Volpe, Organizational Director and Environmental Sustainability Manager at Biografilm

Lecture: How to Organize a Festival: Institutional Funding Research and Commercial Sponsorship Lecture: How to Organize a Festival: Budgeting and Administrative Management Lecture: Calls for Proposals and Festivals – Rehearsal Lecture: After the Festival: Reporting and Accountability for Cultural Events

• Paola Di Natale Production and Logistics Office Coordinator at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: How to Organize a Festival: Production and Logistics – Rehearsal Lecture: How to Organize a Festival: Department Management

• Martina Tormena Cultural Project Designer at Zalab and Lucia Pornaro Cultural and Audiovisual Project Designer at Zalab

Lecture: Project Management and Funding Opportunities

Lecture: Community Relations and Participatory Design

• Morena Brunetti Hospitality Office Coordinator at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Hospitality Management, Institutional Relations, and Guest Services

• Barbara Gagliardelli Administration team at I Wonder Pictures

Lecture: The Administrative Side of the Film Industry: Accounting and Administrative Aspects

• Alessandra Sisti Project Manager at I Wonder Pictures and Human Resources Manager at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Introduction to Human Resources Management

COMMUNICATION AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

• Camilla Medori Graphic and Communication Coordinator at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Coordinating Festival Communication: Website, Digital Platforms, Content, and Graphic Creativity

• Elisa Palagi Editorial Content and Press Manager at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Press Strategies: Editorial Content and Catalogue Management

• Francesca Rossini Local Press Office at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Press Strategies: Editorial Content and Press Office Management

• Giada Sartori Social Media Manager Biografilm

Lecture: Social Media and Community Management + Workshop

• Simone Soranna Television writer, journalist, film critic, and film lecturer

Lecture: Communicating Cinema: Audience Engagement

• Federico Borreani Audience Development Analysis and Strategy at BAM Strategie Culturali

Lecture: Audience Development Strategies and Tools

• Biagio Sorrentino Accreditation Office and Audience Development at Biografilm Festival

Lecture: Audience Relations: Festival Accreditation Strategies and Audience Engagement

• Enzo Setteducati Artistic Director of Pop Up Cinema venues

Lecture: Audience Loyalty and Relationship-Building Tools

TRAINING MODULES (300 hours: 180 hours of theory and 120 hours of internship)

Approximately 20 hours per week are planned (four in-person days in the morning and one day that may be delivered remotely – online) from February to April.

The internship will take place from April to June within the programming and organisation activities of the XXII edition of the Biografilm Festival (5–15 June 2026).

PARTICIPATION METHODS

1) CV screening to assess and verify the required prerequisites. Additional value will be given to personal work related to the audiovisual sector and the topics covered, such as: collaboration in festivals, exhibitions, or events; creation of content for traditional or web-based communication channels; or participation in communication and promotion projects related to artistic and cultural heritage.

2) Written test (50% of the total score) to assess the level of entry knowledge.

3) Individual interview (50% of the total score) to evaluate aptitude, interest, experience in creative fields, availability and motivation to attend the course, as well as possible skills in the use of tools and equipment (computer, software, video camera, etc.).

All candidates who meet the requirements are entitled to take part in the selection tests if applications exceed the number of available places.

At the end of the course, a certificate of attendance will be issued. In addition, participants may be employed in various capacities within organisations that operate in or collaborate on the production of events and festivals.

Professional area: ARTISTIC AND PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION