Animaphix presents Next Frame – New Visions of Italian Animation
On August 4 and 5, 2026, in the venues of Villa Cattolica and Palazzo Butera in Bagheria (PA), Next Frame – New Visions of Italian Animation will make its debut. The initiative is part of the 12th edition of Animaphix – New Contemporary Languages Film Festival (August 3–9, 2026). Supported by SIAE and the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC) under the “Per Chi Crea” programme, the project was conceived as a platform to promote the emerging talent of young filmmakers under the age of 35. It brings them into dialogue with audiences and leading industry professionals—including producers, distributors, and film curators—through pitching training sessions and thematic meetings designed to foster exchange between artistic vision and distribution strategies, while providing young authors with practical tools to navigate the contemporary film industry.
Lucia Catalini, Filippo Foscarini and Marta Violante, Margherita Giusti, and Veronica Martiradonna are the protagonists of the first edition of Next Frame. They will present their artistic projects and engage in discussions with industry professionals Alessandro Giorgio (producer at Withstand Film and programmer for the National Short Film Center and the ShorTO Film Market), Davide Ferrazza (executive producer at Withstand Film), and Lawrence Thomas Martinelli (journalist, essayist, founder and director of the DOCartoon festival).
During the event, in addition to public talks, thematic focuses, and discussion sessions, on Wednesday, August 5, starting at 10:00 p.m. at the Arena Guttuso of Villa Cattolica, the directors will present their respective works to the audience: Lucia Catalini will introduce Neither One Nor Two (Italy, 2024), her graduation short film from ISIA Urbino, nominated for the 2025 Nastri d’Argento in the animation category; Filippo Foscarini and Marta Violante will introduce The Imperial Lullaby (Italy, 2020), which reflects on the Fascist invasion of Ethiopia in 1936 through the lens of a child’s school drawings; Margherita Giusti will introduce The Meatseller (Italy, 2023), the true story of Selinna Ajamikoko, a young Nigerian woman who dreams of becoming a butcher like her mother (winner of the 2024 David di Donatello for Best Short Film); and Veronica Martiradonna will introduce Supersilly (Italy, 2024), selected for the Semaine de la Critique section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
PROGRAM
- Tuesday, August 4th
10 AM – Palazzo Buter (Sala Fumagalli Martorana) / Pitching Training
Training session dedicated to animation project pitching techniques, featuring practical exercises and discussions with industry professionals, concluding with a public presentation open to industry representatives and the general audience.
Led by Alessandro Giorgio (producer at Withstand Film and programmer at the National Short Film Center and ShorTO Film Market). Participants: directors Filippo Foscarini, Marta Violante, Margherita Giusti, Veronica Martiradonna, and Lucia Catalini.
6 PM – Villa Cattolica (Garden) / Roundtable
ANATOMY OF A SHORT: TO IDEATE, TO PRODUCE, TO DISTRIBUTE
A public discussion dedicated to the challenges and opportunities of contemporary cinema. Through conversations with producers, distributors, editors, and other industry professionals, the session will explore the development, financing, and distribution processes behind film projects, focusing on artistic vision, international co-productions, and new models for the circulation of audiovisual works.
Speakers include Davide Ferazza (executive producer at Withstand Film) and Alessandro Giorgio (producer and distributor at Withstand Film), together with directors Filippo Foscarini, Marta Violante, Margherita Giusti, Veronica Martiradonna, and Lucia Catalini. Moderated by Marco Grifò (film critic and film programmer).
- Wednesday, August 5th
6 PM – Villa Cattolica (Garden) / Meeting
BEYOND THE FORM: CINEMA AS A HYBRID LANGUAGE
A discussion dedicated to the new forms of contemporary cinema, where documentary, fiction, and animation intersect, transcending traditional categories. An opportunity to explore emerging trends in filmmaking and understand how a new generation of directors is redefining cinematic languages, formats, and narrative perspectives.
Speakers include Lawrence Thomas Martinelli (journalist, essayist, founder and director of the DOCartoon Festival), together with directors Filippo Foscarini, Marta Violante, Margherita Giusti, Veronica Martiradonna, and Lucia Catalini. Moderated by Andrea Martignoni (animation film historian and co-artistic director of the Animaphix Film Festival).
9 PM – Villa Cattolica (Arena Guttuso) / Special Screening
Filippo Foscarini, Marta Violante, Margherita Giusti, Veronica Martiradonna and Lucia Catalini will present their films.