BIF&ST 2025, produced by the Apulia Film Commission, with the support of the Apulia Region and directed by Oscar Iarussi, draws to a close today, Saturday 29 March, having been a huge hit with the public and garnering significant national and international media coverage.
Tens of thousands of spectators flocked to every event of the festival, with a large turnout of young people, ensuring that screenings and talks were sold out, and welcoming the over 400 guests who arrived in Bari during the eight-day event with infectious enthusiasm.
The festival was also followed with great interest on social media, with the Bif&st brand seeing exponential growth, reaching 7 million views and 2 million people.
“We are delighted with the resounding success and the almost emotional, heartfelt participation of the audience, particularly the younger generation. In some ways, this was to be expected given the major figures who were among our guests, from Nanni Moretti to Carlo Verdone and Claudia Gerini, from Monica Guerritore to Francesca Comencini, Sergio Rubini, Isabella Ferrari and Alberto Barbera,’ comments Oscar Iarussi. But the most politically significant figure is that of attendance and participation in the MERIDIANA section, chaired by the great writer Tahar Ben Jelloun, who was also presented with the Keys to the City during his time in Bari. At the Teatro Kursaal Santalucia, people even queued in the rain to watch the screenings of the films in competition. This confirms the solidity of the Bif&st 2025 vision, following the three M’s indicated by the Puglia Region: Meridione, Mare and Mediterraneo, and projects the festival onto an international stage.
We have therefore experienced a festival that is, on the one hand, deeply rooted in the city and the Apulian region, with stories that evoke crucial themes (anti-Mafia, the environment, social redemption), and on the other, rich in European, Mediterranean and international contributions, and promising intersections. At a turbulent and uncertain time in the Mediterranean region, Bif&st nurtures the hope that culture, and cinema in particular, can represent a promise of dialogue and peace.
But Bif&st 2025 was also characterised by a series of new sections: ll segreto dell’attrice, Doppio testo, A sud, Frontiere, Sarò breve – Cortometraggi, Pomeriggio al Petruzzelli and the Eventi Speciali, which helped to enrich the programme by once again turning its gaze towards the south and the cross-pollination between the arts. In particular, the extraordinary evening of Rosso di Sera will remain in the hearts of the audience, featuring the screening of A Fistful of Dollars with a live score by the Petruzzelli Foundation Orchestra and Choir, a Bif&st co-production with the Petruzzelli Foundation.
Young Apulian talents also took centre stage at the festival, such as the musician and composer Mattia Vald Morleo, and the actress Rosa Palasciano, alongside ‘our own’ established figures from the cultural and Italian scene such as Luciano Canfora, Michele Placido, Giancarlo De Cataldo, Sergio Rubini, Domenico Procacci, Luigi Lonigro and more.
In short, Bif&st 2025 was almost a ‘mobile festival’ – feverish, passionate and at times unpredictable.
I would like to thank the audience, who were far more than just a group of spectators, for bringing to life a form of active cultural citizenship. I would like to thank the President of the Puglia Region, Michele Emiliano, the Mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese, the Ministry of Culture, the Apulia Film Commission in its entirety, starting with President Anna Maria Tosto and Director Antonio Parente, the festival’s old and new partners, including the SIAE, and the sponsors. Finally, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the artistic and organisational staff of Bif&st 2025 and the Apulia Film Commission, without whom this result would have been unattainable in the few months available.”
Michele EmilianoPresident of the Puglia Region: “It has been an exciting edition, and there are many reasons why. Because we have seen the Festival grow and renew itself, in harmony with its history and brimming with new energy and vision. Because the cinemas were always full for every screening. Because there were so many young people, both in the audience and among the producers and directors, a sign that cinema can count on a new generation that is active, diverse and engaged. Because the section dedicated to productions from the Mediterranean region was a successful gamble on the part of the Region and the Bif&st management, having chosen to focus on the themes of the Sea, the Mediterranean and Southern Italy. The first edition of Bif&st as a permanent cultural institution of the Puglia Region built on the success of previous editions. For all this, I would like to thank Oscar Iarussi, the extraordinary team at Bif&st and AFC, and everyone who contributed to this result. As a Region, we have supported and accompanied Bif&st on its journey over the years. A Festival that today, more than ever, is deeply our own, belonging to this land, yet with a broad and international outlook, capable of embracing Puglia, the Mediterranean and the whole world, as a concrete contribution to the civic and cultural growth of the community.
“The sixteenth edition of Bif&st has concluded with great success, once again filling the cinemas and theatres of our city this year,” says Vito Leccese, Mayor of Bari. “It is always a thrill to see our cultural venues so lively and well-attended, especially by young people. I would like to thank Bif&st, Oscar Iarussi and everyone who contributed to the realisation of this extraordinary event. Thanks also to the city of Bari, which has enthusiastically welcomed this important international event, and to the organisations that have enriched the programme with over 100 events across the city, bringing the streets to life and making our city even more dynamic.”
Anna Maria Tosto, President of the Apulia Film Commission Foundation, adds: “The Apulia Film Commission’s commitment to producing Bif&st 2025 has been amply rewarded by the public’s response, which was more enthusiastic and numerous than ever before. In this response, we find confirmation of the bond that ties the city of Bari to Bif&st and a reason to continue on the path that makes culture, and cinema in particular, a vehicle for growth, solidarity and friendship.
With its diverse cultural programme, the festival has fully aligned with the identity guidelines formulated by the Region and evoked the set of values with which Puglia identifies.
The Apulia Film Commission extends its thanks to Oscar Iarussi, whose authority, sensitivity and expertise were instrumental in the success of this year’s edition, to all those who contributed to the realisation of Bif&st 2025, and to the audiences who packed the cinemas and theatres.”