Animare – Licata Animation Film Festival

From 23 to 26 July 2026, the historic centre of Licata will host the fifth edition of Animare – Licata Animation Film Festival, an international event dedicated to animated films, illustration and new forms of creativity. Over the years, this event has established itself as one of Sicily’s leading festivals dedicated to independent animation, bringing together filmmakers, professionals, students, families and enthusiasts from Italy and abroad.

The festival offers a packed programme of screenings, talks, exhibitions and workshops, featuring over 290 short films in competition from numerous countries around the world, reflecting the event’s growing international reach. Each evening, the public can attend in-depth talks and screenings of the selected works, offering an insight into the latest trends in contemporary animated cinema.

Among the new features of this year’s edition is the collaboration with the Scuola Comics in Palermo, which is taking part in the festival both through the presence of its lecturers on the official jury and via an exhibition project combining illustration and augmented reality. The exhibition, held at the Chiostro San Francesco, allows visitors to enjoy an immersive experience in which the works come to life thanks to digital technologies.

Ample space is also set aside for the youngest visitors, with free creative workshops dedicated to primary school children. Through activities such as drawing, storytelling, character design and animation techniques, participants can discover the creative process that brings animated characters and stories to life.

With its blend of cinema, art, education and innovation, Animare – Licata Animation Film Festival reaffirms its status as a key event where contemporary creativity meets new technologies, helping to establish Licata as a leading centre for animation culture in Sicily.