Duemila30 Festival 2026 - JOIN

The next edition of Duemila30 Festival will be held in Milan (Italy) from the 30th of July to the 2nd of August 2026.

Duemila30 Festival is not a typical festival. It is not centered around films but creatives. As we live in a world where radical processes of de-humanization are shaping our realities and imaginaries, we believe that we are in need of a new beginning, of new processes of re-connection, re-humanisation and solidarity. We are in need of new spaces which are not only safe and protected, but also caring and humasing. This is exactly what Duemila30 strives for.

Duemila30 is a cultural space that moves from the recognition of creativity as a powerful tool for the creation of new opportunities for understanding, compassion, and empathy. Duemila30 is a global space, where competing and conflicting cultural contexts are represented and can potentially become major sources of tension. We begin with the understanding that it is through our actions that we define and shape the spaces we inhabit and create, as individuals, in community.

Duemila30 is grounded in collaboration rather than competition. The festival recentres human connection and relationships as creative tools to transform tensions and conflicts, prioritising filmmakers over films. For this reason, only works by filmmakers attending the festival in Milan are screened.

REQUIREMENTS

The only requirement is to be enrolled in an education institution (High School, University, Academy, etc.). Proof of enrollment will be required during the registration process. If you are submitting a short film you will be allowed to join even if you are not enrolled in any educational institution anymore, as long as you were a student at the time of the shooting.

You can join the programme regardless of the submission of a short film.

HOW TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE

To work towards these objectives, and in light of the structural limitations we face as a grassroots, not-for-profit organisation, we are only able to offer a limited number of places. These will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

While we recognise that this is not the most equitable approach, we deliberately avoid selecting participants based on skills or prior achievements, as these often reflect unequal access to opportunities rather than individual potential.

We offer a limited number of accommodation scholarships covering your stay in Milan during the festival (30 July – 2 August 2026, 4 nights). As places are limited, we allocate them through a trust-based approach: we kindly ask you to assess your own situation with care, considering that others may be in greater need. If you have the financial means or alternative accommodation options in Milan, we encourage you to take this into account when requesting support.

HOW TO APPLY

If you have submitted a short film through either Festhome or Filmfreeway and your short film has been selected, you should have received a direct invitation email from us. Please read it carefully and follow the process outlined there, do not fill in the form you find on this page.

In any other case, The process consists of a single step, during which you will be asked to upload your travel ticket as confirmation of your participation. You will also be required to provide proof of student enrolment; please note that if this is not valid or cannot be verified, we reserve the right to exclude participants who do not meet this requirement.

JOIN FORM

If you require a visa to enter Italy, we will provide an invitation letter. In this case, please email us [duemila30@quindici19.com] your full name and passport number before purchasing your tickets and confirming your participation.

As mentioned, places are limited. Before purchasing your tickets and confirming your participation, please check the remaining availability on this page.

FAQ

Who can participate?

Duemila30 is open to students and young creatives currently enrolled in an educational institution (high school, university, academy, etc.).

If you are participating with a selected short film, you can join even if you are no longer enrolled, as long as you were a student at the time the film was made.

Do I need to submit a film to join?

No. You can join the festival with or without a short film.

Duemila30 is not centred around films, but around people. We welcome anyone who wants to engage with the programme and be part of the space we create together.

How do I confirm my participation?

There are two different processes:

• If your film has been selected: you will receive a direct invitation and follow a two-step process (preliminary form + final confirmation form).

• If you are joining without a film: you can confirm your participation directly through a single-step form on our website.

What are the deadlines?

• Preliminary form (selected filmmakers): 10 May 2026

• Final confirmation (all participants): 2 June 2026

We won’t be able to accommodate additional requests after these dates.

How many people can attend per film?

Each selected film can be represented by up to 3 people (1 main participant + a maximum of 2 additional cast or crew members).

Do you provide accommodation?

We offer a limited number of accommodation scholarships covering 4 nights (30 July – 3 August, check-out on the morning of the 3rd).

Accommodation can be requested during the registration process and is offered to one participant per selected film.

As a small, grassroots organisation, we allocate accommodation through a trust-based approach. We kindly ask you to request it only if you truly need it.

Can I arrive earlier or stay longer?

Yes, but any additional nights must be organised independently.

We are not able to support or manage bookings beyond the official festival dates.

Do you cover travel costs?

No, we are not able to cover travel costs.

As a small, volunteer-run organisation, we do not have the financial means to support transportation. However, we can provide official support letters to help you apply for funding from universities, institutions, or other organisations.

Can you help with visas?

Yes. We can provide an invitation letter to support your visa application.

However, we are not able to assist with embassy procedures or guarantee outcomes.

Do you provide official laurels for selected films?

We only provide a laurel to filmmakers who confirm their participation and attend the festival in person.

Duemila30 is not centred around films, but around creatives and the space we build together. For us, selection is not a recognition of a film as a product, but an invitation to take part in a shared, caring environment.

For this reason, we do not issue laurels for “selection” in the traditional sense. The laurel reflects participation in the experience, rather than a competitive or curatorial evaluation.

Is it possible to participate online?

No, participation is only possible in person in Milan.

Duemila30 is built as a caring, relational space, where the experience emerges through presence, exchange, and shared time. This cannot be replicated online.

At the same time, we are a small, grassroots organisation, and we currently do not have the capacity or resources to meaningfully support a hybrid or online format.

What happens if I cannot attend? Will my film still be screened?

No, only films by filmmakers attending the festival in person are screened.

This is a core principle of Duemila30. The festival prioritises people over films, and screenings are part of a shared experience built through presence, dialogue, and exchange.

If a filmmaker is not able to attend, the film will not be included in the programme.

What happens after I submit the form?

After submitting your form, we will review your information and get back to you with confirmation and next steps.

Due to the high number of applications, this may take a few days. We appreciate your patience.

Is there a participation fee?

No. Participation in Duemila30 Festival is free of charge.

What language is the festival in?

The festival is primarily conducted in English, given the international nature of the community.

I filled the form but didn’t receive a reply — what should I do?

We receive a high volume of emails and applications. If you haven’t heard back from us, please allow a few days and check your spam folder.

When contacting us, we kindly ask you to keep all communication within the same email thread to help us manage requests more efficiently.

Do you cover meals or local transportation during the festival?

No. We are not able to cover meals or transportation within the city.

As a small, grassroots organisation, our resources are limited. Participants are expected to organise and cover their own daily expenses during the festival.

Can someone else attend on behalf of the film if the director cannot come?

Yes. A selected film can be represented by another member of the cast or crew.

As long as someone from the team is present, the film can be included in the programme.

Can I volunteer or get involved in the organisation?

Duemila30 is entirely run by volunteers. From time to time, we open opportunities to get involved.

If you’re interested, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to connect.