The Best Film Festivals and Cinema Events in Milan
- CineMì
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
Milan, the city hosting the Fashion Week, the Design Week… but what about the rest of the year?
Perhaps less well-known, there is a surprisingly long list of film festivals in our beloved Milan, accompanied by several special cinema events throughout the year!
This article, created in collaboration with milanoinsala, offers a non-exhaustive guide so you can plan your agenda accordingly and make sure your thirst for film-related events is quenched year-round.
👉 For all the latest cinema events and festivals in Milan, follow @milanoinsala on instagram
👉Festivals and events are listed below by month, starting from September, with a visual calendar available at the end of this article.
Cinema for Everyone
Film festivals and events in Milan really focus on inclusivity, and independent and less mainstream cinema. There is something for everyone and every taste, from short films to territory-specific or genre-specific films, all the way to events dedicated to communities and distinct cultures. You won’t only find the next blockbusters then, but rather cinematic works which will broaden your mind, help you discover new cultures, and appreciate different perspectives.
The Film Festival Season in Milan
Most events happen towards the end of the year, with September being the busiest month.
Nevertheless, it is possible to attend an event practically any time of the year.
In this list, you will find the links to every event and festival, with most being present on social media and offering newsletters. Make sure you follow them to be always up to date with their initiatives!
🎥 FESTIVALS IN MILAN
MiX Festival – International LGBTQ+ Film & Queer Culture
🔗 Website | 📸 @mix_festival
📅 Dates: September 2026
Description: A celebration of LGBTQ+ cinema and queer culture, featuring international films, performances, and events that promote diversity and inclusion.
Milan Shorts Film Festival
📅 Dates: September 2026
📝 Description: A global hub for independent cinema and pop-cultural innovation, showcasing debut works, socially engaged storytelling, and cross-genre creativity.
35mm Film Festival
🔗 Website | 📸 @35mmfilmfestival
📅 Dates: September 2026
📝 Description: Born over a beer between two friends, the festival today celebrates short films of up to 35 minutes from around the world, all subtitled in English.
Visioni dal Mondo
🔗 Website | 📸 @visionidalmondo
📅 Dates: September 2026
📝 Description: An annual international documentary festival featuring national and international premieres, alongside events, masterclasses, and discussions.
SPORT MOVIES & TV – Milano International FICTS Fest
🔗 Website | 📸 @fictsfederation
📅 Dates: 7–11 October 2025
📝 Description: A five-day festival devoted to sports and Olympic culture.
Cinema delle Donne
🔗 Website | 📸 @cinemadefemmes
📅 Dates: 23-24-25 October 2025
📝 Description: A Milan festival showcasing powerful, unseen films by South American women and queer creators.
Filmmaker
🔗 Website | 📸 @filmmakerfest
📅 Dates: 15-23 November
📝 Description: An international festival celebrating documentary, experimental, and research cinema, showcasing emerging talent, and promoting sustainable practices.
Festival del Cinema Africano, d’Asia e America Latina (FESCAAAL)
📅 Dates: March 2026
📝 Description: An internationally acclaimed festival presenting powerful stories from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, celebrating the diverse cultures of all three continents.
Sguardi Altrove International Women’s Film Festival
🔗 Website | 📸 @sguardialtrove
📅 Dates: March / April 2026
📝 Description: Italy’s only festival dedicated to female directors, highlighting women’s perspectives in film and exploring gender, identity, and international voices in cinema.
Milano Film Fest
🔗 Website | 📸 @milanofilmfest
📅 Dates: June 2026
📝 Description: A dynamic festival showcasing a diverse mix of independent films, outdoor screenings, and cultural events throughout the city.
Best Movies Comics and Games
📅 Dates: June 2026
📝 Description: A lively festival uniting film, comics, and gaming culture, featuring screenings, panels, cosplay, and exclusive industry previews.
Vertigo Film Festival
🔗 Website | 📸 @vertigofilmfest
📅 Dates: July 2026
📝 Description: An international short film festival bringing stories from around the world to Milan, to inspire, spark conversation, and connect audiences.
Short Out Film Festival
🔗 Website | 📸 @shortoutfestival
📅 Dates: July 2026
📝 Description: Six days of short films, cultural events, exhibitions, outdoor screenings, cinema, food and drink, and live music.
🍿 SPECIAL CINEMA EVENTS IN MILAN
1. Locarno in Milan
🔗 Website | 📸 @cinetecamilano
📅 Dates: 10-12 October 2025
📝 Description: Cinema Arlecchino will host Locarno in Milan for three days, showcasing films from the 78th edition of the historic Swiss festival.
2. Nuovo Cinema di Genere – Film Series at Armani/Silos
🔗 Website
📅 Dates: 18 September – 16 October 2025
📝 Description: A film series exploring contemporary Italian genre cinema, from noir and musicals to horror and coming-of-age stories. Free with reservation.
3. Le Vie del Cinema
🔗 Website | 📸 @agislombarda
📅 Dates: Milan: 25 September – 3 October | Lombardia: 29 September – 19 October📝 Description: Films from major international festivals, including Venice previews, screened in original version with Italian subtitles across Milan and Lombardia.
4. Cinemoda Club by Vogue Italia & Kering
📅 Dates: September 2026
📝 Description: A film series during Fashion Week celebrating cinema’s dialogue with fashion, promoting creativity, culture, and engagement with new generations.
5. Open-Air Cinema
(Arianteo, Le Sere dei Mercanti, Nuovo Cinema Diffuson, Arena Est Milano)
📅 Dates: From June to September 2026
📝 Description: Outdoor screenings in parks, piazzas, and cultural spaces across Milan, celebrating cinema under the stars.
6. Cinema in Festa
🔗 Website | 📸 @cinemainfesta
📅 Dates: June & September 2026 (5 days each)
📝 Description: A biannual celebration offering European films at just €3.50, making cinema accessible to all.
7. Fuori Cinema
🔗 Website | 📸 @fuoricinema_milano
📅 Dates: September 2026
📝 Description: Free screenings and events at BAM, creating a vibrant community connecting cinema, culture, and the public.
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